New Finnish consortium to work on fuel-flexible technologies for maritime transport

A number of Finnish research organizations and companies have launched a project to develop fuel-flexible solutions for maritime transport and off-road machinery, enabling the optimal use of zero- and low-carbon fuels and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 100%.

The Flexible Clean Propulsion Technologies (Flext-CPT) project aims to reduce dependency on single fuel types, develop flexible hardware design, smart combustion control, efficient thermal management, and adaptive emission and hybrid energy management.

With a budget of €18 million primarily funded by Business Finland, the project is expected to establish a realistic path for the Finnish powertrain industry towards carbon neutrality and shape the future of the marine and off-road sectors.

Specifically, it seeks to demonstrate robust powertrains achieving up to 100% reduction in tailpipe GHG gas emissions, optimizing individual fuel streams according to availability, pricing, combustion efficiency, and emissions. 

The Flex-CPT research plan includes 33 innovations, including fuel reforming-based reactivity on demand, adaptive aftertreatment deposit formation control, to thermal management of hybrid systems exploiting the synergy of fuel storage technology with electrification.

Led by University of Vaasa, the Flex-CPT consortium comprises the following members: Tampere University, Aalto University, Åbo Akademi University, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, University of Turku, University of Oulu, Wärtsilä Finland Oy, AGCO Power Oy, Meyer Turku Oy, Proventia Oy, Bosch Rexroth Oy, Hycamite TCD Technologies Oy, Lumikko Oy, and Meriaura Oy.

The project involves international cooperation with 12 international partners from 12 countries and is part of the Wärtsilä-led Zero Emission Marine program and Meyer Turku-led NEcOLEAP program.

The Flex-CPT builds on the development of the previous project, Clean Propulsion Technologies, initiated in 2021.

“We acknowledge that effective decarbonisation means embracing all new zero-carbon fuel options, like hydrogen and ammonia, alongside more mature low-carbon choices such as methane, methanol and bio- and renewable diesels. This level of multi-fuel integration is an unparalleled technological challenge for powertrain development,” said Maciej Mikulski, Professor from the University of Vaasa and the responsible leader of the Flex-CPT project.

“By partnering with Flexible Clean Propulsion Technologies project, Wärtsilä is taking a significant step towards realizing our Zero Emission Marine vision. The consortium’s expertise in flexible, clean propulsion technologies will support the industry in meeting its 2030 and 2050 emission reduction goals, ensuring a greener future for the maritime sector,” added Jonas Åkerman, Director of Research & Technology Development from Wärtsilä.