Within the cross-border cooperation program INTERREG V-A Italy-Croatia 2021-2027, the project TransH2 (Transition to Hydrogen Fueled Cross-Border Sea-Mobility) is being implemented, where Urbanex d.o.o. participates as one of 8 partners from Croatia and Italy: with the University of Rijeka, the Faculty of Maritime Studies as a Lead partner; Croatian Chamber of Commerce; Zadar County Development Agency ZADRA NOVA; Maritime Technology Cluster FVG S.c.ar.l; Navalprogetti Srl; Start Romagna S.p.A. and the University of Trieste. The project was established on the Quadruple Helix model, which implies a partnership between the public sector, the private sector, the academic community, and civil society.
TransH2 represents an innovative step towards a sustainable future of maritime transport, and the implementation of the project will improve sustainable cross-border maritime mobility by demonstrating feasible solutions for the application and use of emission-free fuel (green hydrogen) in cross-border and regional maritime transport routes and by transferring new solutions to port authorities, carriers and other stakeholders in the entire program area. The main activities of the project include research and analysis of options for the “greening” of maritime transport links, designing hydrogen-powered passenger ships, and preparing case studies with the aim of introducing hydrogen supply stations into the port infrastructure.
In addition to contributing to the achievement of the goals of the European Green Plan to reduce emissions in the maritime sector by 90%, the TransH2 project directly supports EU strategies for the restoration of oceans and waters, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Focusing on the development of innovative solutions in cross-border maritime transport, including vessels powered by hydrogen fuel and defining the supporting infrastructure for fuel supply in ports, the project also supports the objectives of the European Strategy for Sustainable and Smart Mobility to make zero-emission vessels market-ready by 2030.
The project started on February 1, 2024 and will last for 30 months, until July 31, 2026. The total budget amounts to EUR 2,357,035.00, while the share of funds for Urbanex activities in the project amounts to EUR 341,550.00. The EU co-financing rate is 80%.
On February 27, 2024, a kick-off meeting was held in Rijeka, where the project partners discussed the strategy for implementing activities within the work packages, agreed on the details of future steps, and agreed on guidelines for project implementation. During the meeting, a session of the Board of Directors was held, where the members of the board and their deputies were confirmed, which ensured the basis for effective management of the project according to the planned deadlines.
We hope for the successful realization of the set goals and look forward to the next meeting of project partners, which is scheduled for the second half of 2024, this time in Trieste. This next meeting will be an opportunity for further coordination of activities and evaluation of project progress, and for strengthening cooperation between partners.