Onboard renewable energy solutions and energy saving measures to reduce the fuel consumption of ships by at least 55% (ZEWT Partnership)

Di cosa tratta questo bando?

The call funds a full-scale demonstration of combined onboard renewable energy and energy-saving technologies that cut ship fuel consumption by at least 55 %. Results are reported to the ZEWT partnership.

Cosa finanzia questo bando?

Scope

This Horizon Innovation Action supports full-scale demonstration of combined renewable energy solutions and energy-saving measures on ships, such as electric and hybrid propulsion, wind-assisted propulsion, hull optimisation and air lubrication.

Expected activities

• Full-scale demonstration reducing fuel consumption by at least 55 % compared with 2008 levels, with a clearly defined baseline for a retrofit or newbuild.
• A method to estimate energy savings and reductions in greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions for each technology and in combination.
• Design optimisation for different ship types, focusing on retrofits and replication.
• Use of digital solutions for energy optimisation and integration with ship automation and class certification, including cybersecurity and data integrity risks.
• Assessment of environmental benefits, underwater noise and cost-effectiveness using life-cycle approaches.
• Safety and operational aspects, and joint training of crews, ports and shore-side emergency services.

Expected outcomes

A full-scale demonstration of combined solutions, a standardised framework to verify efficiency gains in support of FuelEU Maritime, assessment criteria and sea-trial procedures, easier retrofitting of existing vessels up to 2030, and greater market confidence. Activities are expected to reach TRL 8 by the end of the project.

Further expectations

• Proposals are expected to address all the listed aspects and define the baseline of the ship concerned.
• Proposals are encouraged to prioritise shipyards, equipment manufacturers and providers located and/or manufacturing in the EU and EEA.
• Funded projects are expected to report results to the ZEWT partnership.

Quando scade il bando?

14 aprile 2027 (160 giorni)

14 April 2027 (single-stage submission). Planned opening date: 15 December 2026.