The Fraunhofer Society (Fraunhofer- Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.) is a recognised non-profit research organisation and is the leading organisation for applied research in Europe. It takes its name from the researcher, inventor and entrepreneur Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787-1826). Founded in 1949, the Fraunhofer Society comprises 67 Institutes with 24.000 employees at 40 different locations in Germany as well as research centres and representative offices in Europe, USA and Asia and has an annual research budget totalling more than EUR 2.1 billion. International collaborations with excellent research partners and innovative companies around the world ensure direct access to regions of the greatest importance to present and future scientific progress and economic development.

In one of its units, the Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services (CML), 20 natural scientists, engineers and economists are developing and optimising processes and systems along the maritime supply chain. Within practically oriented research projects, the CML supports public and private sector clients in the shipping business and port operations as well as from the logistics services industry. Amongst others, it focuses on developing innovative shipping solutions to enhance automation, reduce emissions and increase fuel efficiency. The CML is physically located at the Technical University of Hamburg (TUHH), sharing its premises with the Institute of Maritime Logistics, which is led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Carlos Jahn, the head of the Fraunhofer CML.