The ZEAS (Zero Emission Adriatic Ship) project is dedicated to transforming maritime industry by developing a hydrogen-powered passenger ship that will set new standards for sustainability in the Adriatic Sea. The main objective is to construct a vessel powered entirely by hydrogen, demonstrating a climate-neutral fuel system designed to protect the marine environment and reduce emissions. Key to this initiative is the establishment of an onshore hydrogen refuelling station and the development of a digital twin, an advanced digital infrastructure for managing, controlling, and monitoring the vessel’s propulsion system. Running from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2027, the project will span four years of innovation and collaboration.
The ZEAS project is coordinated by Lürssen Design Center Kvarner and brings together expertise from 14 partners across 7 countries: Croatia, Austria, Greece, Norway, Germany, Slovenia, and Spain. This team will collaborate over the next four years to design and construct the hydrogen-powered passenger ship, which will be tailored for safe and efficient travel within the Adriatic Sea’s unique ecosystem. The project has a total budget of €18.9 million, with €13.5 million co-financed by the European Union under the Horizon Europe program.
In addition to Lürssen Design Center Kvarner, the ZEAS project includes several key partners from Croatia: Jadrolinija, the University of Rijeka’s Faculty of Maritime Studies, Gitone Kvarner, the Maritime Center of Excellence, Scan Projekt, and the Croatian Hydrogen Association. International collaborators include DNV Hellas from Greece, HyCenta Research from Austria, Tecno Ambiente from Spain, Technische Universität Chemnitz from Germany, ZenLab from Slovenia, and TECO 2030 ASA from Norway.
By introducing hydrogen as a fuel source, ZEAS marks a significant advancement in reducing the maritime industry’s reliance on diesel engines, which release pollutants that harm both the atmosphere and marine environments. This transition to climate-neutral fuel technologies is crucial for the future of waterborne transport, where hydrogen can drastically cut emissions.
Designed specifically for the Adriatic Sea, renowned for its unspoiled environment, the ZEAS vessel will demonstrate the potential for zero-emission operations within sensitive ecosystems. Through this pioneering effort, ZEAS is committed to accelerating the adoption of alternative fuels, offering a model for sustainable maritime innovation and paving the way for the next generation of clean transport solutions.
