IOTA Moves Into the Core of European Maritime Trade via EU-Funded Port Pilots

• IOTA was part of the EU-funded MISSION project connecting some of Europe’s largest ports.
• Its technology was tested by port operations that handle over 45 million twenty-foot containers.

IOTA is increasingly integrating into global trade networks through operational pilots in Europe. The latest is a port pilot funded by the European Union that targets European maritime trade.

As one commentator observed, the new pilot “focuses on just-in-time maritime logistics: real-time port coordination, smart customs, and synchronization between vessels, terminals, and hinterland operations, supported by DLT technology, with IOTA (TWIN + TLIP) as one of the key technical layers.” 

These pilots cover major ports such as Valencia, Genoa, Piraeus, Trieste, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, and Hamburg. The initiative, known as MISSION, aims to improve efficiency by connecting ports digitally to synchronize vessel arrivals, terminal operations, and hinterland logistics. 

The commentator noted, “If those 45.4 million containers are coordinated through a shared digital layer and connected to the flows being deployed across Africa under AfCFTA, this is no longer about adoption. This is systemic scale.”

IOTA has developed digital infrastructure to support real-world trade and logistics. The Twin platform enables the digitization of trade documents, tokenization of physical assets, and facilitates trade finance and payments. Through this system, containers and shipments can be tracked and managed more efficiently.

As reported by CNF earlier, IOTA co-founder Dominik Schiener had said, “The goal is to focus on real-world adoption through key initiatives like the Twin platform.” 

The platform is already being piloted in Europe and will expand to Africa, with Kenya expected to conduct cross-border trade on IOTA’s mainnet in early 2026.

IOTA’s Large-Scale Container Coordination

European ports participating in the pilot handle a total of 45.4 million TEU annually, a volume exceeding current container traffic across Africa. MISSION leverages IOTA’s distributed ledger technology to coordinate these containers in real time. 

The project focuses on synchronizing vessel movements, terminal operations, and hinterland logistics, improving efficiency and reducing delays.

This digital coordination also integrates with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), potentially connecting over 150 million containers per year to operate on a shared digital layer. 

As we earlier reported, Schiener admitted that the crypto market in 2025 faced a raft of challenges, but IOTA was supported through it by its institutional application. Recent upgrades of the IOTA Rebased led to the introduction of Move-based smart contracts, on-chain staking, full decentralization, and an expanding set of validators.

These variations enable the network to support large-scale government and business transaction volumes. Collaborations with bodies like TradeMark Africa, Tony Blair Institute, and the World Economic Forum have also played a significant role in expanding IOTA’s footprint.

As of press time, the IOTA price was still in the red zone, with the price down 2% in the last 24 hours to trade at $0.08499. During this time period, IOTA’s trading volume surged by 14% to $9.07 million as buyers took advantage of the dip to accumulate.