The ambitious CleanH2shipping project unites ports, research organisations, technology providers and a ship operator, with the aim of developing and implementing a viable hydrogen ecosystem and showcasing the potential of hydrogen fuel-cell-powered inland and short sea shipping. Our vision extends beyond mere demonstration; we aspire to catalyse widespread adoption across Europe and beyond. Unlike land-based hydrogen applications for vehicles, there are no international regulations for safe use of hydrogen at sea, rivers or in ports. The volume required to power marine vessels is of an entirely different magnitude compared to road transport vehicles, and any potential accident could have far-reaching consequences. This lack of regulations is one of the main barriers to implementing hydrogen at scale, as shipbuilders, ports, shipowners, and logistics providers require clarity before committing to a new technology. Another major barrier are high investment costs for the production and port infrastructure and high operating costs of hydrogen-powered vessels. To realise the vision of hydrogen-powered shipping, CleanH2Shipping will engage policy makers and authorities to advocate for harmonised regulations, demonstrate the complete hydrogen supply chain and create a blueprint for replication in other European ports and ships. Innovative swappable hydrogen fuel tank containers, "H2Tank-Tainers," will be used, hence no investment in port infrastructure is required. Our demonstration with the 610 TEU inland container ship Letitia, featuring a 1.2MW fuel-cell main drive, will showcase sustainable shipping. Further standardisation, efficiency enhancements, scaling and AI-based container logistics will further decrease CAPEX and OPEX costs to build an H2 ecosystem. With our goal to lay the foundation of a H2 ecosystem in and around the European ports, this project can make a significant contribution to achieve the “Fit for 55” goals and significantly reduce CO2 emissions

While automakers have demonstrated progress with prototypes and commercial vehicles traveling greater than 500 km on a single fill, this driving range must be achievable across different vehicle makes and models and without compromising customer expectations of space, performance, safety, or cost. The TAHYA project, mainly led by industrial partners -already involved in producing and manufacturing hydrogen solutions for the automotive and aviation industry-, will focus on the development of a complete, competitive and innovative European H2 storage system (a cylinder with a mounted On-Tank-Valve with all integrated functionalities) for automotive applications up-performing the actual Asian and US ones. The TAHYA consortium composed of Optimum CPV, Anleg, Raigi, Volkswagen, Chemnitz University of Technology, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung, PolarixParner and Absiskey will ensure that the development phase of the storage system remain in line with the expectations (cost, performance and safety) required by the market, end users’ and car manufacturers. The key objectives of the TAHYA project are: OBJ#1: Preparatory work to provide a compatible H2 storage system with high performances, safe and Health Safety Environment responsible. OBJ#2: Provide a compatible H2 storage system with mass production and cost competitive. OBJ#3: Regulation Codes and Standards (RCS) activities to propose updates on GRT13 and EC79 according to tests results obtained over the duration of the project.

Contributing to reach the European Green Deal objectives and the Europe 2050’s goals, the SEANERGY Project aims to provide a solution for exploiting the untapped potential of EU-ports energy’s system by implementing the SEANERGY Master Plan which assesses stakeholders to execute the necessary activities towards transforming ports, regardless of their geographical context, into active members of the clean energy and fuel generation grid of EEZ. Activities such as training, reskilling, awareness spreading and communication channels creation, will set the basis of the green port transitioning, creating spaces of dialogue and teaching among all agents of the industry (private and public), which will, in turn, boost the development and integration of these technologies, along with prepared professionals that will be able to manage and implement them promptly, securely and efficiently. The SEANERGY project will be developed in 3 stages: (1) understanding of actors and port E&F systems and identifying limitations; (2) developing the Master Plan and Handbook, which will serve as a training manual for stakeholders, as well as implementing the Industry-Academy programme to train future professionals in clean energy technologies and fuels and how to apply the knowledge in ports; (3) expanding the scope of the Master Plan beyond Europe.

The extent of shipping decarbonization and reduction of air pollutant emissions remains limited, despite the rapid development of greening technologies. This is particularly valid for existing inland vessels and coastal ships. A large scale retrofit of the fleet would accelerate the greening transformation. However, there is a wide variety of ship types with different power demands and different required volume of energy carriers. Alternative fuels require more space on board and/or more frequent bunkering. The bunkering infrastructure for such fuels is scarce, and their future price levels are uncertain. Most measures are associated with considerable investments. In addition, the existing regulatory framework still does not provide an adequate support. The question arises: which retrofit solution would be the most adequate for a ship of certain dimensions, type, and operational profile? To answer this question, the project SYNERGETICS (Synergies for Green Transformation of Inland and Coastal Shipping) will: - create synergies between the leading research institutions in ship hydrodynamics and energy transition, innovation centres and shipbuilding industry, regulatory bodies, ship owners, and technology providers with the goal to provide a catalogue of retrofit solutions which will accelerate the green transformation of inland vessels and coastal ships. - demonstrate the greening capacities of retrofit by implementing hydrogen and methanol combustion in internal combustion engines on selected existing ships in real life operational conditions; - address the greening potential of hydrodynamics improvements, by demonstrating the effectiveness of the aft-ship replacement which comprises the optimized shape of the aft part of the hull, duct, propeller, and rudder design, and implementation of exhaust gas after-treatment and hybrid propulsion systems; - contribute to electrification of fleets by further developing swappable battery container services and a system for power management of ships with hybrid propulsion.