The Captain of Autonomous and Green Shipping
Some minds don’t just follow the tide; they chart new courses. Antoon Van Coillie is one of those minds. An entrepreneur, an innovator and a maritime strategist, he refuses to accept that shipping must remain stuck in the past. Instead, he pioneers autonomous, zero-emission vessels, proving that the future of transport is clean, smart and self-navigating. Through his work in Blue Line Logistics and Zulu Associates, he didn’t just modernize shipping – he reinvented it.
His Greatest Tribble
Van Coillie’s most groundbreaking project, the X-Barge, isn’t just a ship – it’s the next evolution of inland navigation. Designed to be autonomous and fully electric, this vessel represents a vision where water transport is efficient, cost-effective and emission-free. No captains, no fuel, no unnecessary delays – just clean, intelligent movement through Europe’s waterways.
But his vision started earlier. With Blue Line Logistics, he introduced Zulu barges, innovative vessels optimized for palletizedcargo transport. These flat-deck barges maximized loading efficiency, reduced truck dependency and proved that inland shipping could be modern, practical and scalable.
The Science of Smarter Shipping
For Van Coillie, shipping isn’t just about moving goods – it’s about engineering a sustainable logistics system. His work explores:
- Autonomous vessels, controlled remotely for higher efficiency and reduced laborcosts.
- Zero-emission propulsion, replacing fossil fuels with electric and hybrid energy sources.
- Reducing congestion on roads, proving that waterways are an underused asset in logistics.
His approach challenges traditional maritime industries, proving that smart technology and sustainability aren’t just trends – they’re necessities.
Did He Keep His Inner Child Alive?
Absolutely. Van Coillie approaches transport, automation and innovation with the same curiosity as a child building ships in a bathtub. Instead of just accepting the limits of today’s shipping, he asks what’s possible, pushes boundaries and experiments with the unknown. His projects reflect a deep love for exploration, efficiency and game-changing ideas.
A Legacy of Disrupting the Waves
Van Coillie isn’t just a shipbuilder – he’s a disruptor of the maritime industry. His work is shaping the next era of autonomous and green shipping, proving that logistics can be smarter, cleaner and more efficient. His message is clear:
- Waterways are the future of smart transport
- Autonomous ships will redefine logistics
- The shipping industry must embrace sustainability or sink
Antoon Van Coillie is not just a maritime entrepreneur – he is a navigator of the future, a strategist of the sea and an innovator proving that the next great revolution in transport will happen on water. He reminds us that the best way to change an industry is to set sail in a direction no one else has dared to go.
