KVARCO – Smarter maritime transport through data and AI

KVARCO, Smart Marine Monitoring for Sustainable Mobility in the Gulf of Bothnia Region, develops solutions that use data and AI to support more energy-efficient and sustainable maritime transport in the Gulf of Bothnia. The project combines information on the marine environment, ice and weather with data on vessel operations and energy use.

The project will deliver better data and a clearer understanding of how different conditions affect vessel energy use and emissions. It will also improve information on transport emissions and develop new methods for monitoring the marine environment. Companies and other stakeholders help develop the solutions so that the results meet their needs.

(Header photo: Aurora Botnia / Christoffer Björklund)

What is KVARCO developing?

Ice conditions and energy-efficient navigation

Using camera images from Aurora Botnia and AI, the project is developing methods to analyse ice conditions ahead of the vessel. The project links these findings to analyses of vessel energy use to support more energy-efficient navigation in winter.

Vessel energy use and emissions

The project analyses how factors such as vessel speed and propulsion power, as well as ice and weather conditions, affect energy use and emissions.

Emissions information for logistics companies and other transport stakeholders

KVARCO is developing a digital tool for businesses such as small and medium-sized logistics companies in Finland and Sweden. The tool is intended to provide clearer information on transport emissions and help companies with reporting, planning and customer communication.

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The project will examine how transport emissions vary depending on transport operations and environmental conditions.

Monitoring the marine environment

Using camera images from Aurora Botnia, the project is also exploring how AI can be used to detect harmful algal blooms and turbidity during ice-free periods. The information will complement traditional environmental monitoring and improve knowledge of the marine environment in the area.

Shared access to data

KVARCO is developing a digital portal that brings together project data and satellite data and makes them accessible. The portal will make it easier to find, use and download relevant data.

Companies help develop the solutions

To develop solutions that work in practice, the project needs to understand the needs and experiences of companies and other stakeholders in shipping, logistics and transport.

Companies in Finland and Sweden are involved through surveys, interviews, discussions, workshops and testing. Company representatives can discuss their needs, challenges and experiences, explain what information would be useful and give feedback on the solutions being developed. They can help shape the content and features of the digital service, review project results and test prototypes as the work progresses.

The cross-border workshops bring together companies and other stakeholders from Finland and Sweden to share experiences, discuss common needs and make new contacts.

The project also engages with ferry operators, ports, regional and municipal authorities and other potential users.

Do you, your company, your organisation or a partner organisation work in maritime transport, port operations, logistics or transport? Contact us if you would like to follow KVARCO, take part in upcoming activities or share your organisation’s experiences and needs.

What will KVARCO deliver?

AI-based methods for analysing ice and environmental conditions, including sea ice, algal blooms and turbidity
models showing how vessel operations, weather and ice conditions affect energy use and emissions
a digital portal that brings together project data and makes it accessible to different users
a digital tool that provides companies with clearer information on transport emissions
a joint plan for using and further developing the results after the project ends.

The project’s solutions will be tested in day-to-day operations on the Vaasa–Umeå route.

Results, summaries and other materials will be published here throughout the project.

About KVARCO

CONTACT

KVARCO is a joint initiative involving partners in Finland and Sweden. The University of Vaasa leads the project, with Umeå University, the Finnish Meteorological Institute and Kvarken Council EGTC as project partners.

Kvarken Council leads the work to share the results and help put them into practice outside the research community. We help researchers connect with public authorities and other stakeholders in Finland and Sweden, organise workshops and build connections with companies. We make the results easier to understand and use, and work to support their continued use after the project ends.

Project period: 1 August 2026–30 June 2029

Budget: EUR 1,286,801

Funding: Interreg Aurora

Lead Partner: University of Vaasa

Project partners: University of Vaasa, Umeå University, Finnish Meteorological Institute and Kvarken Council EGTC