According to industry-orientated technology platform Waterborne TP, the Board governing the Co-Programmed Partnership on Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport in the framework of Horizon Europe, has adopted the Additional Activities Plan 2023, detailing the investments foreseen by the sector, which are necessary to achieve EU-wide zero-emission waterborne transport.
The Partnership aims to lead and accelerate the transformation of waterborne transport (i.e. maritime transport and inland navigation) to eliminate all harmful environmental emissions (including greenhouse gas, air and water pollutants) through innovative technologies and operations. Its objective is to develop and demonstrate by 2030 deployable zero-emission solutions applicable for all main ship types and services, paving the way for zero-emission waterborne transport by 2050.
The plan for additional activities in 2023 entails an amount of €485m of investments in:
- additional Research, Development and Innovation,
- scaling up of technologies,
- demonstrators of these innovative technologies,
- the creation of new business opportunities,
- training and skills development,
- contribution to the development of new standards,
- regulations and policies,
- supporting the development of ecosystems and
- supporting communication, dissemination, awareness raising and citizen engagement.
These Additional Activities are aligned with the objectives of the Partnership. In total, the waterborne transport sector already committed €1.5bn of investments for the period June 2021 until 31 December 2023, half of the total amount of investments foreseen for the period 2021 – 2030.
Ingrid Marie Andersen, Head of Decarbonisation Sustainability at AP Moller-Maersk and co-chair of the Partnership Board said: “Waterborne transport moves nearly 90% of all international trade, more than 75% of external EU trade and 40% of internal EU trade and is thereby a sector of strategic importance to Europe. In addition, the sector is committed to developing sustainable solutions to the benefit of future generations. The significant investments envisaged by the broader waterborne transport sector are very encouraging. Already in the first 2.5 years of the 9-year investment period, half of the planned private investments are already committed. This clearly shows that the sector is dedicated to achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal, with the targets enshrined in the ‘Fit for 55’ as the first point on the horizon.”
Rosalinde van der Vlies, Director Clean Planet, DG RTD of the European Commission said: “The CoProgrammed Partnership on Zero-Emission Waterborne transport is a key instrument in achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal. Its objective is to develop and demonstrate deployable technological solutions for enabling zero-emission waterborne transport. Compared to all other partnerships, the Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport Partnership has committed the highest amount of private investments over €3bn on top of the EU contribution of €530m. It is a great example of the leverage effect of the EU’s funding for Research, Development and Innovation”.
