LEVANTE FERRIES has become the only Greek ferry operator participating in FIT-HORIZONS (Flexible Tool Environment for Holistic Retrofits and Decarbonization of Ships), a new Horizon Europe project designed to accelerate the decarbonisation of Europe’s existing fleet. The initiative brings together 19 organisations from 12 countries, including shipowners, research institutes, universities and technology providers.
The project will develop an AI-based digital platform to help shipowners identify the most effective and economically viable retrofit combinations. Solutions under evaluation include alternative fuels, electrification, hydrodynamic improvements, Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP) and air lubrication systems.
LEVANTE FERRIES will contribute operational data and practical expertise from its vessels. The company says the project will support the planning of its own green transition while contributing to wider European decarbonisation efforts.
The operator has previous experience with European innovation projects, including ELEMED, through which FIOR DI LEVANTE became the first vessel in the Eastern Mediterranean connected to shore power, and e-SHyIPS, which focused on future hydrogen regulations for passenger shipping.
FIT-HORIZONS is coordinated by SINTEF Ocean (Norway) and supported under Horizon Europe Grant Agreement No. 101270016. The project is intended to help shipowners comply with FuelEU Maritime, the EU ETS and future IMO greenhouse gas requirements.
