EU project targets fleet decarbonisation

The Greek ferry operator is the only company from Greece participating in the Horizon Europe-funded project, which brings together 19 organisations from 12 countries to develop technologies supporting alternative fuels, vessel electrification and other retrofit solutions.

“Our participation in FIT-HORIZONS confirms Levante Ferries’ commitment to remaining at the forefront of technological developments in European shipping,” said Efstratios Apergis, CEO of Levante Ferries.

“Our objective is to leverage the knowledge and tools developed through the project to plan our fleet’s green transition in a timely and effective manner, for the benefit of our passengers, local communities and the environment.”

Data sharing

Levante Ferries will contribute operational vessel data and technical expertise to help shape future retrofit strategies for the maritime sector.

FIT-HORIZONS aims to create a digital platform combining AI, simulation tools and operational data to help shipowners identify cost-effective vessel retrofits capable of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while meeting evolving environmental regulations.

The project will evaluate combinations of decarbonisation technologies under realistic operating conditions across different vessel categories.

Technologies assessed through the platform will include alternative fuels, vessel electrification, hydrodynamic optimisation, Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion systems, Air Lubrication Systems and other energy-efficiency solutions.

The initiative is designed to support compliance with FuelEU Maritime, the EU Emissions Trading System and the IMO’s greenhouse gas reduction strategy.

Levante Ferries said its participation builds on earlier European projects including ELEMED and e-SHyIPS, which focused on onshore power supply infrastructure and hydrogen frameworks for passenger shipping respectively.