To address climate change and environmental degradation, the European Commission introduced the European Green Deal (EGD) in 2019, with a goal of making Europe climate-neutral by 2050. As part of this initiative, efforts extend to the fisheries sector, which currently contributes 4.3 million tons of CO2 equivalent annually due to its reliance on fossil fuels. This dependency not only compromises environmental sustainability but also exposes the sector to fluctuations in energy prices.
To combat these challenges, the European Commission has launched a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe program, targeting pilot projects for energy-efficient small-scale fishing fleets in the Baltic and North Sea basins. This initiative aims to test and validate solutions to reduce emissions and fuel consumption in small-scale fishing vessels.
The current call for proposals seeks funding for a pilot project involving a demonstrator marine fishing vessel of 12 meters or more in length. By retrofitting an existing vessel, the project aims to test various hull designs and/or alternative propulsion technologies and/or power sources for onboard systems, all aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These efforts align with the objectives outlined in the Commission's Communication on the Energy Transition of the EU Fisheries and Aquaculture sector, aiming to facilitate the energy transition of fishing vessels while offering fishers opportunities to save energy.
Objective:
This initiative aims to support the retrofitting of a marine fishing vessel to demonstrate the effectiveness of alternative propulsion technologies and other solutions in improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions. The goal is to fill knowledge gaps within the fishing sector regarding the potential and compatibility of such technologies.
Scope:
This call topic focuses on the retrofit of a demonstration fishing vessel to achieve emissions reduction and enhance energy performance. Activities may include feasibility assessments, testing, retrofit implementation, sea trials, evaluation of results, and communication and promotion of the demonstrated solutions. By engaging in these activities, we aim to advance sustainable practices within the fishing industry and drive innovation in vessel operations.
More information in the Call for proposals.
