The European Commission and the Waterborne Technology Platform have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a co-programmed partnership under Horizon Europe aimed at making zero-emission maritime transport a reality within the next 30 years.

The partnership aims at leading and accelerating the transformation of waterborne transport (maritime transport and inland navigation) to eliminate all harmful environmental emissions (including greenhouse gas, air and water pollutants) through innovative technologies and operation.

By 2030, the objective is to develop and demonstrate deployable zero-emission solutions which are applicable for all main ship types and services, to enable the achievement of zero-emission waterborne transport by 2050.

The European Commission will invest up to €530 million to fund actions within the scope of the Co-programmed European Partnership. It’s also expected that private sector partners will invest up to €3.3 billion between now and 2030 in research, innovation and other priorities towards the partnership’s objectives.

Speaking after of the ceremony in Brussels yesterday (Wednesday 23 June) held as part of the European Research and Innovation Days, chairman of the Waterborne Technology Platform, Henk Prins said: “Today is a unique moment for the European waterborne transport sector, which is a strategically important sector for the EU. The partnership will not only foster and accelerate the transition to an environmental-friendly mode of transport, in line with the European Green Deal ambitions, but it will also stimulate the green recovery of the waterborne sector.

“The partnership uniquely gathers all relevant stakeholders from the waterborne transport sector, who join forces to deliver innovative solutions for the benefit of future generations. We look forward to the applications for the first round of calls for proposals, as well as mapping the state-of-play and monitoring the progress towards reaching our objectives.”

The Waterborne Technology Platform has been set up as an industry-oriented platform to establish a continuous dialogue between all waterborne stakeholders, such as classification societies, shipbuilders, shipowners, maritime equipment manufacturers, infrastructure and service providers, universities or research institutes, and with the EU institutions, including member states.

It comprises members and associated members from both maritime and inland navigation countries, representing about 18 EU member states. In addition, the Associations member of the Waterborne Technology Platform represent the broader waterborne sector throughout the entire EU.