The initiative is intended to support the decarbonisation and digital transformation of the existing fleet. Levante Ferries will contribute operational data and practical expertise from its vessels to help shape solutions for ship retrofits and the maritime energy transition in Europe.

The maritime sector currently accounts for approximately 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions while transporting 90% of global trade. As most vessels operating today are expected to remain in service for decades, upgrading the existing fleet is regarded as essential for meeting international climate targets.

FIT-HORIZONS aims to develop a digital platform combining artificial intelligence, advanced simulation tools and operational data to help shipowners identify retrofit solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and complying with evolving European and international environmental regulations. The platform is designed to evaluate multiple retrofit technologies simultaneously, including alternative fuels, electrification, hydrodynamic improvements, Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP), Air Lubrication Systems (ALS) and other energy-efficiency solutions. Rather than assessing technologies individually, it will analyse how combinations of technologies perform together under realistic operating conditions and across different vessel categories.

The operator's participation builds on its involvement in previous European innovation projects. These include ELEMED, through which the company's RoPax vessel FIOR DI LEVANTE became the first vessel in the Eastern Mediterranean to connect to an Onshore Power Supply (OPS) installation, and e-SHyIPS, which contributed to the development of regulatory frameworks for the use of hydrogen in passenger shipping.

Efstratios Apergis, CEO of Levante Ferries, said: "Our participation in FIT-HORIZONS confirms Levante Ferries’ commitment to remaining at the forefront of technological developments in European shipping. Our objective is to leverage the knowledge and tools developed through the project to plan our fleet's green transition in a timely and effective manner, for the benefit of our passengers, local communities and the environment."

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