About the project

The main aim of the project is to contribute to accelerating the shift to safe use of sustainable climate neutral fuels in waterborne transport through a full scale on board operational demonstration of a new system powered by hydrogen fuel cells with maritime applications. The ship will be specifically designed to operate in the Adriatic Sea, which is known for its pristine environment and sensitive marine ecosystems.

An international consortium of top-notch entities covering the whole innovation value chain will develop, validate and demonstrate green hydrogen propulsion and powertrain on a new zero emission passenger ship powered by hydrogen. The project includes the establishment of a distribution, storage and bunkering solution in a functional modular hydrogen refuelling station with the possibility to add dispenser modules for refuelling of cars and trucks with hydrogen, which may increase the impact of the project for the environment and the stakeholders.

This complete activity comprises of feasibility studies, concept design, basic design, detailed engineering, equipment procurement, hydrogen powertrain system design & procurement, building preparation and execution and finally, certification.

Advanced digital technologies, including digital twin for monitoring, control and simulation and predictive maintenance solution enhanced with augmented reality systems, will also be developed, documented, tested and optimized during the project as well. It will represent a unique digital ship design and implementation comprised from designing and implementing open system ship architecture to enable full system and operational processes automation, selection of sensors for digital ship systems, data identification and management, edge computing, digital twin of the ship, AI-based ship operations domain application for predictive maintenance, advanced ship communication system and finally cybersecurity system.