Ferry demonstrator for the switch to safe use of sustainable climate neutral fuels in Adriatic - Zero Emission Adriatic Ship - ZEAS

Waterborne transport, responsible for moving about 90 % of global trade, currently contributes to 3 % of global CO2 emissions. The EU-funded ZEAS project aims to expedite the transition toward safe and sustainable, climate-neutral fuels in waterborne transport. The project will showcase a system powered by hydrogen fuel cells designed for maritime applications. This system encompasses a zero-emission passenger ship tailored for the Adriatic Sea, along with solutions for hydrogen distribution, storage, and bunkering. A consortium will develop, validate, and demonstrate the entire system. ZEAS will pioneer digital technologies, including digital twins for monitoring, control, simulation, and predictive maintenance solutions. Environmental performance studies, as well as assessments of emissions, risks, and safety, will be integral components of 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. An international consortium of top-notch entities covering the whole innovation value chain will develop, validate and demonstrate a new zero emission passenger ship powered by hydrogen and the associated hydrogen distribution, storage and bunkering solution. The ship will be specifically designed to operate in the Adriatic Sea, which is known for its pristine environment and sensitive marine ecosystems. The commissioning and validation in the operational environment through sea trials will be performed to ensure compliance with certification authorities. Emissions assessment, environmental performance studies, risk and safety assessments will be performed on the new system. 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 for ship owners, operators, shipyards and associated engineering firms. Finally, a detailed feasibility assessment and business planning will be developed to establish commercialisation and scalability opportunities. A successful realisation of the project will facilitate the wider adoption of sustainable climate neutral fuels within the European maritime transport sector in line with the Green Deal objectives, contributing to its efficiency, safety, resilience and international competitiveness.