Low & Medium TRL Research & Development
The recent report on “The future of European competitiveness – A competitiveness strategy for Europe” offers a roadmap for how Europe can address the key barriers currently unlocking its potential for economic growth and prosperity such as lack of focus, inefficient use of resources and poor coordination. Moreover, the document highlights that regulatory burdens and a fragmented market have been progressively weakened competitiveness, while disjointed spending and slow decision-making hinder progress. The findings of the report will help inform the Commission’s development of a new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness. This will impact future EU policy-making at all levels, in a top down perspective. We believe that taking a bottom-up approach, by considering the needs and challenges faced by different stakeholders such as academia, researchers, scientists, and industry, will ensure that our efforts are more relevant and impactful starting from the short term. The ECMAR Strategic Research Agenda is aligned with this complementary approach and fully commits to supporting the research community for the maritime transport sector. To effectively meet the ambitious targets set for 2030, the ZEWT cPP has primarily focused on high TRL (Technology Readiness Level) research projects. However, this approach has created a gap in low to medium TRL research, which is crucial for foundational advancements and for establishing competitiveness in the medium to long term. This gap potentially limits ECMAR’s overall contribution to the maritime sector. Therefore, it is essential to start incorporating basic research into present and future partnership initiatives to ensure comprehensive knowledge creation and valorisation, which are fundamental functions of European Partnerships. By addressing this gap, we can enhance the impact and innovation within the maritime industry, contributing to improve overall EU competitiveness.
Low & Medium TRL Research priorities for FP10
ECMAR strongly advocates that to advance the maritime sector, it is crucial to focus on areas requiring more low Tech nology Readiness Level (TRL) research, than on high TRLs projects. Considering the emphasis on enhancing European competitiveness, low TRLs in maritime research are essential for exploring the innovative con cepts and technologies that can give the most positive impacts to the European maritime industry. Additionally, research at lower TRLs is less constrained by specific ship types, providing broader applicability across various maritime applications. This approach aligns with ECMAR’s commitment to sustainable innovation and economic growth. Moreover, considering low TRL research developments will naturally support only the most promising and thoroughly validated technologies to high er TRLs, maximizing the efficiency and impact of EU investments in maritime innovation.
Key areas for low to medium range TRL (4-6) research initiatives include:
a. Innovative propulsion systems and energy efficiency Research focused on developing novel propulsion methodologies, models and systems.
This includes working on reduc ing the added resistance in waves by using ship’s motions, research on frictional resistance reduction technologies, the use and lifecycle emissions of nuclear power (including on board applications for propulsion with nuclear fission and fusion technologies) and other alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and ammonia, but also biofuels from algae and synthetic fuels. Underwater radiated noise is impacting the life at sea nearships and offshore wind parks. Innovative solutions and mitigating technologies need to be developed. Research is required to establish under standing of the impact. For specific applications, relevance is placed on developing new design formulations to enhance vessel performance in ice, and technologies for the abatement of underwater radiated noise. For the electrification of short-sea vessels, ferries, and potentially larger vessels if energy density issues are resolved, research on advanced energy storage technologies such as solid-state batteries, supercapacitors, and hybrid energy storage systems to develop solutions that offer higher energy density and faster recharging capabilities.
b. Ship Automation
Research focused on ship’s automation technologies include exploring AI and robotization for ship design and operations, smart management of maritime assets, autonomous functions for ocean-going, coastal, and inland vessels and autonomous navigation in mixed scenarios with human navigators on other vessels. With respect to AI for Autonomous Operations, research into the application of AI for fully autonomous vessel operation, route optimization, collision avoidance, and decision-making under complex condi tions needs foundational work to address the unique challenges of maritime environments. In addition, human role in attaining the sufficient level of ship safety is still not well understood.
c. AI methods for ship dynamics and safety
Developing AI-driven models to predict ship dynamics and enhance safety is crucial. This includes prediction of sea loads on ships and offshore structures under extreme weather conditions, hybrid CFD and AI models for ship efficiency and economy, large amplitude ship motion and non-linear ship dynamics phenomena in waves, non-linear hydro-structural response. Moreover, optimisation of ship design and operation in real sailing conditions requires further knowledge on model/ship correlation of the effects of environmental conditions (i.e. wind, water depth, lateral restrictions, current profiles).
d. New materials and production processes
Research on advanced materials, such as nano technologies for improved coatings, and innovative production processes, including additive manufacturing or AI and robotization for ship construction, is essential for future (and more competitive) European shipbuilding.
e. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) onboard ships
Carbon capture technologies are still in their infancy, especially for onboard applications. Research is needed to explore compact and efficient CCS systems that can be integrated into ships to capture CO2 emission. Benefits of novel CCS technologies could impact especially on large ocean-going vessels, bulk carriers, and tankers where emission reduction is critical.
f. Waterborne Hydrogen Production
The potential for hydrogen production directly onboard ships, either through electrolysis or other innovative methods, could revolutionize fuel logistics and ship’s operations. This concept is still at a very early stage and requires low TRL research to explore its feasibility, efficiency, and in tegration into ship systems. All types of ships would be impacted by such technologies, particularly vessels engaged in long-duration voyages where refuelling infrastructures may be limited
Examples of Low TRL Research topics that have been adressed at EU level can be found on the ECMAR Maritime Strategic Research Agenda.