EU Grants EU Launches Major Call to Advance Zero-Carbon Fuel Technologies in Shipping

EU Launches Major Call to Advance Zero-Carbon Fuel Technologies in Shipping

CINEA announces Horizon Europe funding for maritime innovation – proposals due 4 September 2025

The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) has opened a new Horizon Europe funding call aimed at accelerating the uptake of zero-emission energy systems in waterborne transport. The call, part of Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility, invites maritime stakeholders to propose innovative energy conversion technologies and safety solutions for vessels operating on low- and zero-carbon fuels.

The deadline for submissions is 4 September 2025, with funding awarded under the Zero Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT) Partnership.

⚙️ Focus on Scalable, Efficient, and Safe Propulsion Systems

The call specifically targets:

• Fuel cell systems of 5 MW or more
• Internal combustion engines (ICEs) over 10 MW powered by renewable fuels
• Integrated propulsion configurations achieving ≥ 55% energy efficiency

These technologies must be demonstrated under real-world maritime conditions, ideally onboard ships over 5,000 gross tonnage, and be capable of delivering full operational power at sea.

The call also supports hybrid or modular systems that allow flexible fuel use and operational resilience—crucial for long-distance shipping and offshore vessels.

🛡️ Safety and Risk: Critical Elements of Innovation

Beyond propulsion, the EU is placing significant emphasis on fuel safety and risk management. Proposals must address:

• Onboard fuel handling, storage, and bunkering safety
• Control of unregulated emissions (e.g. ammonia slip, N₂O, particulate matter)
• Emergency protocols and dispersion modelling for hazardous fuel types

Safety systems must be embedded into the vessel’s design, with consideration for crew training, port procedures, and regulatory compliance.

🔧 Integration, Circularity, and Training

Applicants are expected to demonstrate:

• Use of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and digital twin technologies
• Efficient integration with shipboard systems and energy loads
• Design for circularity: modularity, maintenance, reuse, and end-of-life planning

Proposals should also include plans for skills development and workforce training, especially for seafarers and port personnel handling new fuels.

📌 Who Should Apply?

This call is relevant to:

• Shipbuilders and propulsion system developers
• Fuel technology providers (hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, biofuels)
• Classification societies and safety technology firms
• Maritime research institutes and engineering universities
• Port authorities and training organisations

Projects must target Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6–7 and demonstrate systems at scale on operating vessels.

🔍 Key Details

🚢 A Strategic Step Toward Green Maritime

This call supports the European Green Deal, Fit for 55, FuelEU Maritime, and the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. By funding large-scale, real-world demonstrations of zero-emission ship technologies, the EU is strengthening its leadership in sustainable maritime innovation.

For full details and proposal templates, visit the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.