Norwegian research organisation Sintef and Fincantieri subsidiary Vard have entered into a strategic cooperation agreement to strengthen research, technology development and innovation in future maritime solutions.
The aim is to meet the industry’s needs in the energy transition and accelerate the development of more energy-efficient, digital and competitive vessels and maritime systems. Sintef is one of Europe’s largest independent research institutes, with broad expertise in maritime technology, energy, digitalization and industrial systems. The agreement formalises a long-term collaboration between two players with shared ambitions to contribute to a more sustainable, digital and competitive maritime industry.
The Norwegian maritime sector is facing major changes driven by the need for emission reductions, new energy solutions, increased digitalisation and rapid technology development. Through the cooperation agreement, the parties aim to strengthen the link between industry needs and research-based knowledge.
Alexandra Bech Gjørv, CEO Sintef, said: “Sintef has expertise and research infrastructure that are highly relevant to the green and digital transition currently taking place in the maritime sector. It is therefore also natural for us to work closely with the largest players in one of Norway’s largest export industries.”
The collaboration will help identify and realise new research and innovation projects in areas of strategic importance to both organisations.
Vard CEO Cathrine Kristiseter Marti added: “For Vard, innovation and the ability to think in new ways are essential to maintaining and further developing a competitive and sustainable maritime industry. For us, it is important that the research we carry out together with Sintef builds on our extensive experience and expertise in shipbuilding, and that it takes place in close collaboration with shipowners, technology suppliers, energy companies and authorities. The agreement with Sintef is therefore a fundamental factor, both for Vard and for the continued development of the maritime industry.”
The cooperation will prioritise five strategic areas:
- Ship design
- Maritime energy and control systems
- Shipbuilding, outfitting and commissioning
- Cranes, gangways, launch and recovery systems, and deck machinery
- Implementation of artificial intelligence on vessel data.
The areas represent an overlap between Vard’s and Fincantieri’s technological priorities and Sintef’s interdisciplinary research expertise, and will be developed further in line with market needs and technological development.
Sintef and Vard have collaborated for many years in research, innovation and commercial product development through a number of projects with different technological focus areas and time horizons. The collaboration has resulted in a range of innovations that can now be seen sailing the world’s oceans.
Trond Vikan Johnsen, Market Manager, Sintef Ocean and Director, FME MarTrans, said: “For us at Sintef, it is just as exciting to work with Vard on eight-year research programmes as it is on a month-long model testing assignment. With mutual respect and trust as our foundation, we challenge each other and find new solutions that drive technology development forward.”
Håvard Vollset Lien, Vard Group Head of Research and Innovation, concluded: “Through the agreement with Sintef, Vard aims to help accelerate the transition to renewable energy in the maritime sector. Innovation and development are among our core pillars, and together with Sintef we believe we can help make a difference through our focus areas such as digitalisation, electrification, energy-efficient designs and zero- and low-emission technology.”
The cooperation agreement will initially ensure that the existing collaboration between the parties is maintained and formalised. The next objective is to realise the potential created by interaction between new entities within the respective groups.
Image: Vard and Sintef enter into cooperation agreement to include decarbonisation (source: Vard Group)
