Ro-ro ships are an important component of the global transportation system, but an increasing trend of ro-ro ship fires in recent years call for improved fire protection. From comprehensive ship operators’ experience and by participation in ongoing work for the European Maritime Safety Agency and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), critical aspects of ro-ro ship fire safety have been identified to form the scope of the project LASH FIRE. It aims to provide a recognized technical basis for the revision of international IMO regulations, which greatly enhances fire prevention and ensures management of fires on ro-ro ships without recourse to external intervention. This is done by developing and demonstrating operational and design solutions which strengthen the fire protection of ro-ro ships in all stages of a fire and which address current and future challenges, including regulatory issues. Twenty specific challenges have been identified, which will be addressed by new solutions developed and demonstrated with regards to performance and ship integration feasibility by system suppliers, researchers, ship owners and shipyards. For the solutions to be considered for regulatory uptake, their impact on risk reduction and cost will be assessed and advisory groups with operators and flag states will be established. Thereby, the project is expected to significantly strengthen the independent fire protection of ro-ro ships and to reduce the frequency of ro-ro ship fires by 35% and the number of fatalities by 45%.

The HySeas III project will bring to market the world’s first zero emission, sea-going ferry that will be powered by hydrogen from renewable sources. It builds on the consortium experience, which previously developed the first diesel/electric hybrid ferry in 2013, and involves the leading European supplier of hydrogen fuel cell modules (Ballard Power Systems). The project will not only develop and validate this advanced ferry concept but a prototype version will be constructed and demonstrated in operational service with co-funding from the regional Government in Scotland (which will commission the building of the ferry). It will also demonstrate a novel circular economy model for the local production of hydrogen fuel that could transform the coastal and island economies around Europe. It will be implemented by eight complementary partners, from six countries (BE, DE, DK, FR, NO, UK), through seven interrelated work packages. These include the development and land-side testing of the complete drivetrain, integration within a new concept ferry design and monitoring of its performance in a real island-to-island environment (Orkney Islands). In addition, there will be a dedicated work package aimed at rapid exploitation based on evidence from the marine trials and an innovative business model to overcome the capital investment barriers to replication. The communication & dissemination work package will include engagement with potential follower regions across Europe and be led by the European Office of Interferry, which represents the worldwide ferry industry. Other relevant European associations and networks will participate in a ‘Stakeholder Advisory Group’ to ensure that the results are widely disseminated to all interested parties.