The recent joint workshop “Decarbonizing the Seas” brought together key stakeholders from European research to discuss technological innovations in the sustainable marine fuels sector, highlighting how collaboration among different Horizon Europe projects is accelerating the transition toward a zero-emission future for shipping, and representing the second edition of another workshop held at the previous EUBCE edition in Valencia, Spain. Within this innovation ecosystem, the M2ARE project focuses on developing a low-cost methanol synthesis process (TRL-7) based on biogenic CO₂ and renewable hydrogen by 2027, having already achieved a captured CO₂ purity exceeding 99.9% through advanced impurity removal.
Concurrently, the COCPIT project pursues a circular microalgae-based approach for fuel production destined for both shipping and aviation, optimizing production chains through a dedicated decision-making tool and offering solutions with high replicability potential in Mediterranean coastal refineries. On the process electrification front, NextFuel is revolutionizing biomethanol production through electrified Steam Methane Reforming (eSMR) technology, which replaces traditional fossil-fuel furnaces with electrically heated reactors to drastically reduce the carbon footprint.
The SEAFAIRER project focuses on scaling up pathways for bio-oils and “drop-in” biofuels ready for immediate use in the current fleet, testing their reliability in marine engines with blends ranging from 10% to 100% biofuel. Finally, POSEIDON is building a TRL7 prototype plant for e-methanol production scheduled to begin operation in January 2027, utilizing “Digital Twins” and the TRIDENT modeling tool to analyze the entire value chain from emissions to end-use.
All of these initiatives share a common vision on the need to establish regional biogenic CO₂ hubs and Hydrogen Valleys to make sustainable fuels economically competitive against fossil options, positioning Europe as a leader in developing scalable technological pathways that comply with strict international maritime regulations.
This event was co-organized by M2ARE project and COCPIT project as part of a joint collaboration started last year at the 33rd EUBCE edition in Valencia, Spain, where a first joint workshop on advanced maritime biofuels was organized. Both workshops were supported by ETA Florence Renewable Energies, organizer of the European Biomass Conference & Exhibition.
