Group 486

Digital Transport Network (NDT) takes the next step in digital transformation

Published on March 25, 2026

On March 19th, the Digital Transport Network (Netwerk Digitaal Transport - NDT) convened at the "Huis van de Logistiek" in Tiel, hosted by the Province of Gelderland and Logistics Valley. It was an energetic and well-attended afternoon where various stakeholders gathered to address one central question: how can we collectively accelerate the digital transformation of freight transport?

"The NDT meetings offer all digitalization co-makers from various national and regional programs a dedicated space to meet and cross-pollinate at the intersection of policy, business, and IT." Nanne Onland (Digitalization Freight Transport Program)

A New Chapter
This meeting marks a new chapter. We are building upon the foundation laid by the Digital Transport Platform (PDT), which, under the chairmanship of Tobia Potters, made significant strides in connecting parties and putting logistics digitalization on the agenda. With the NDT, we are continuing this trajectory with an increased focus on cross-pollination, execution, scaling, and impact.

The NDT brings together participants from various programs—such as Top Corridors, Digital Infrastructure Logistics (DIL), and Topsector Logistics—to share knowledge, strengthen collaborations, and establish concrete connections. The goal is to move beyond mere discussion and realize matchmaking and joint execution with tangible impact on our logistics chains.

"It is wonderful to see this group gather in Tiel for the first time; in Gelderland, we consciously seek each other out because true systemic change starts when you bring all players together." Quinten Hendriks (Province of Gelderland)

Our ambition is clear: a competitive, sustainable, and digitally connected multimodal freight transport system where data is shared, chains collaborate more intelligently, and infrastructure is utilized optimally.

Program Highlights: The Move Toward Systemic Change
The afternoon was structured to lead participants from inspiration to reflection and, finally, to concrete projects.

  • Opening: Welcoming remarks were provided by Klaas Ruitenberg (Regional Minister, Province of Gelderland) and Adriaan Zeillemaker (Head of Multimodal Freight Transport and Pipelines, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management).
  • Keynote: Tom de Bruyne (co-founder of SUE Behavioural Design and The Alchemists) delivered a keynote on systemic change and behavior. Drawing from his book Gamechangers, he demonstrated that many logistics challenges are systemic problems rather than technical ones.
    • Make the friction of the current system felt.
    • Change the goals and rules of the system.
    • Work through "pioneer flow makers" to create innovative solutions at the fringes of the current system.
  • Industry Reflection: Johan Kerver (evofenedex) and Wout van den Heuvel (TLN) emphasized that systemic change only takes hold if companies can realistically adapt. Innovative entrepreneurship, applicable technology, data sharing, and collaboration are crucial. For many businesses, digitalization is no longer a choice, but a necessity.

"From (inter)national policy to ecosystem change and project impact on multimodal chains—this afternoon covered all the perspectives needed to develop a robust logistics system." Ruud Arts (DIL Program)

Projects Leading the New Approach
Several presented projects demonstrated that this new way of working is already taking shape:

  • TRIUMPH: Digital twins and resilience (Sebastian Piest and Anne-Ruth Scheijgrond).
  • RESULD: Data-driven supply chains (Aljosja Beije).
  • PortLinQ: Digital agreement framework for inland ports (Martijn van Hengstum).
  • Connected Trade Network: Secure data sharing via the Basic Data Infrastructure (BDI) in container transport (Jaap Stoppels).
  • Logistiek Digitaal: Adoption and digital skills (Joost van Deursen).
  • Multimodal Freight Transport: Realizing resilient corridors (Hans Moonen).

From Improvement to Innovation
The core takeaway of the day is our shift from improvement to innovation. While we build on existing foundations, we are now consciously moving toward a new systemic goal:

"We must stop competing to be the cheapest link in someone else's chain. Instead, we must start building an internationally connected, smartest physical and digital logistics network that becomes indispensable."

We will achieve this by actively stimulating pioneer chains, empowering entrepreneurial "flow makers" who shape the strategic European value chains of tomorrow, and accelerating through visible successes and storytelling. With the NDT, we enter a new phase: from connecting and exploring to realizing and scaling.

"We must create stories together to realize true innovation in the multimodal logistics system. The connections to do so were established during this meeting." Bas van Bree (Topsector Logistics)