The European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) Celebrates Transformative Waterborne Projects

The European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) has shared details of several ‘transformative waterborne projects’ that have moved from the R&D phase to a successful scale-up stage.

“Technologies developed through Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programmes are now scaling up with support from the Innovation Fund, ensuring Europe leads the way in tackling climate challenges and laying the foundation for a greener, more sustainable future,” CINEA said.

SUSTAINSEA – Reducing maritime transport CO2 emissions by using wind

Spanish startup bound4blue has developed wind-assisted propulsion systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transport. Supported by various EU programs, including Horizon Europe, the company is now deploying this technology in large cargo vessels under the Innovation Fund-supported SUSTAINSEA project, aiming to reduce emissions by up to 91%.

SOL – Sugar oil as sustainable marine fuels

Vertoro BV, a Dutch pioneer in sustainable biofuels, has created crude sugar oil (CSO) using cellulose. With the support of EU research programs like IDEALFUEL, EHLCATHOL, and CARBIOW, the SOL project is now scaling this fuel for use in shipping, achieving more than an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fuels.

GREENMOTRIL – Development and operation of a green energy community in the Port of Motril, Spain

Spanish energy company Cuerva is leading the way in smart renewable energy solutions with projects like SYNERGY, BEYOND, COCOON, ODEON, and TwinEU. The GREENMOTRIL project, funded by the Innovation Fund, aims to transform the Port of Motril into Europe’s first off-grid seaport powered entirely by renewable energy.

IRIS – Innovative low carbon hydrogen and methanol production by large scale carbon capture

Greece-based energy group Motor Oil (Hellas) is at the forefront of carbon capture and sustainable fuels innovation. With projects like CARMOF, AURORA, COREU, and SAFeCRAFT, the IRIS project is scaling up carbon capture to produce 10,000 tonnes of e-methanol annually for use as an energy carrier in mobility and industrial applications.

These projects showcase the tangible impact of EU research investments in creating meaningful change. CINEA emphasizes the importance of collaborative research in bridging innovative ideas to large-scale action, addressing some of today’s toughest environmental challenges.