Enhanced electric operation and battery durability (ZEWT Partnership)

Overview

Funding for projects advancing fully battery-electric operation in waterborne transport, targeting ferries, short sea shipping, offshore, and inland vessels. Focuses on extending autonomy, improving battery durability, and enabling rapid zero-emission charging for vessels up to 6,500 GT or 135 meters.

Who Can Apply

Consortia of industry, research institutions, and training providers, with priority given to EU/EEA-based shipyards, equipment manufacturers, and suppliers. Public and private entities from eligible Horizon Europe countries might participate, subject to specific provisions for non-EU/non-associated countries.

Funding Details

Maximum grant amount: 13,500,000 EUR. Total budget and funding rate not specified.

What Is Funded

• Full-scale demonstration of extended-range electric vessels (minimum 150 nm for short-sea shipping or 277.8 km for inland navigation) with rapid in-route charging.
• Solutions for peak propulsion power beyond 5 MW and optimized battery management systems.
• Development of adaptive energy-management systems, thermal management, and high-voltage electrical components.
• Modular design and retrofitting for replication across vessel types.
• Safety assessments, regulatory compliance, and best practices for battery installations.
• Collaboration with training providers and higher education institutions for specialized battery management courses.
• Life cycle considerations, including end-of-life battery management and circular design.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Projects must demonstrate solutions beyond existing commercial battery scaling, with a focus on real-world applicability. No explicit TRL range specified, but proposals must include full-scale demonstrations and economic viability assessments.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-12-14
• Deadline: 2027-04-13

Application Process (High-Level)

Single-stage submission via the Horizon Europe Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout described in the call documentation.

Post-Award Obligations

• Reporting on results to the Zero Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT) Partnership for KPI monitoring.
• Dissemination and exploitation plans, including roadmaps for replication, scalability, and commercialization.
• Collaboration with the ZEWT Partnership for knowledge sharing and market uptake.

Geographic Scope & Language

Open to applicants from Horizon Europe-eligible countries, with encouragement for EU/EEA-based participants. Application language: English.

Notes

• Projects must justify EU added value, including contributions to strategic autonomy and competitiveness of the EU waterborne industry.
• Use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS data and services is mandatory if satellite-based solutions are employed.
• Proposals should align with Fitfor55 priorities, including FuelEU Maritime, Naiades III, AFIR, and RED.