Maritime, clean fuel projects in the spotlight of EU’s STEP initiative

Several maritime and alternative fuels projects are among initiatives that have been awarded the Strategic Technology Platform for Europe (STEP) label in a new initiative of the European Commission to boost investment in critical technologies in Europe and support the local industry.

STEP is a quality label that gives more visibility to ‘promising’ projects in the field of clean and resource-efficient technologies, as well as digital and highly innovative technologies. It is expected to help attract additional public and private funding from the EU and support services.

The first 130 projects that have been awarded the STEP label aim to develop cutting-edge clean technologies, with a focus on energy and industry (Innovation Fund), and digital technologies for space-related applications (Horizon Europe/Space).

“We are shining a spotlight on 130 groundbreaking projects that exemplify innovation and sustainability. These projects showcase Europe’s ingenuity and commitment to reducing our strategic dependencies while boosting our competitiveness. The Strategic Technology for Europe Platform (STEP) Seal is more than just a badge – it serves as a bridge between promising ideas and the support they need to thrive, whether through public or private investment,” Piotr Serafin, Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, commented.

Examples of ‘cutting-edge’ innovations include the pioneering maritime freight service, powered by hydrogen fuel cells (Netherlands), the manufacture of photovoltaic modules (Italy), CO2 capture and storage technologies (Denmark), the development of components for offshore wind towers (Poland), and radiation-resistant integrated circuits for space applications, in several countries.

One of the projects that received the STEP label is the Energy Observer 2 project. The project’s ambitious goal is to pioneer the development, construction, and operation of the “world’s first” liquid hydrogen cargo ship by 2029, marking a significant leap in the development of sustainable maritime technology. The pilot ship will be the first of a kind lowest emissions cargo ship in the world.

Another example of selected projects is an Italian e-methanol project. Located at Energie Tecnologie Ambiente waste-to-energy site in Manfredonia, Apulia region, Italy, the plant has the aim to valorise the CO2 captured from the ~62MWt thermal plant flue gases which will be used as feedstock for renewable methanol production together with in situ produced green hydrogen. At full capacity, the plant will be able to produce 122,500.00 tons/year of green methanol receiving as feedstock 264.6 MNm3/year of green H2, produced on site by a 170MW Alkaline Electrolyser which will be the first large hydrogen production plant of this type in Italy, and 172,722.95 tons/year of captured CO2. The methanol will be used as an alternative fuel in the maritime transport sector, which is required to adopt disruptive technologies to achieve the decarbonization targets fixed within International Maritime Organization’s and European strategies.

What is more, CARTEIA has been selected by the commission. Jointly developed between Cepsa and Yara, the project for the production of green ammonia is one of the projects of the “Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley” announced by Cepsa, with the intention of decarbonizing industrial activity in the area and manufacturing sustainable fuels for maritime transport.

Princess Cruises’ project INDIGO has been also recognized by the EU. The project delivers a hybrid decarbonization solution for in-service ships that enhances operational efficiency and significantly reduces GHG emissions. INDIGO aims to transform a large passenger ship, the Enchanted Princess, with an efficient and cost-effective retrofitting solution allowing for flexible use of RFNBO fuels, such as e-methanol. The inclusion of a battery storage and electric start system enables several improvements in operational efficiency and safety.

Furthermore, Samskip’s project in the short sea shipping (SSS) segment has received the STEP label. The project seeks to demonstrate applicability of multi-megawatt fuel cells as power plants for SSS and viability of liquefied RFNBO hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel in terms of safety, energy content and space requirements in a real maritime operational environment. In the ten years of operation, the project aims to avoid 263,137 tonnes of CO2e emissions. In the project, two new vessels will be equipped with multi-megawatt fuel cells running on liquefied RFNBO hydrogen and with an innovative combination of energy efficiency-improving technologies.

The commission intends to actively promote these projects among public funding bodies, e.g. managing authorities of Cohesion Policy Funds and of the Recovery and Resilience Plans in Member States, and among private investors.