A new European consortium is aiming to accelerate the decarbonisation of the existing fleet by improving how shipowners assess and implement retrofit solutions, as regulatory pressure intensifies across the maritime sector.
The FIT-HORIZONS project brings together 19 maritime companies, research institutes, universities, software developers and technology providers across Europe to develop a digital design environment for low- and zero-emission ship retrofits.
The initiative is coordinated by SINTEF Ocean and supported by nearly €4 million ($4.6 million) in funding from the European Union.
The platform is designed to help shipowners evaluate retrofit options more effectively by integrating simulation tools, AI-supported modelling and operational vessel data into a single decision-making framework.
Rather than analysing technologies in isolation, the system will assess how multiple solutions interact onboard under realistic operating conditions.
The maritime industry accounts for around 3 per cent of global CO2 emissions. While new zero-emission vessels are gradually entering service, most of the current global fleet is expected to remain operational for decades, making retrofit solutions a critical pathway for near-term emissions reductions.
Dr Kourosh Koushan, Special Advisor at SINTEF Ocean, said: “Shipping needs practical pathways to decarbonisation now, not only in the future. FIT-HORIZONS will help the industry make better retrofit decisions by understanding how different technologies interact onboard a vessel. Our ambition is to reduce uncertainty and accelerate the transition from analysis to implementation.”
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The project will evaluate a wide range of retrofit technologies, including alternative fuels, electrification systems, wind-assisted propulsion, air lubrication technologies, hull modifications and other energy efficiency measures.
The focus is on combined system performance, rather than standalone assessments of individual solutions.
Six virtual demonstrators will be developed to represent key European vessel segments: inland waterways, short-sea shipping, deep-sea shipping, ferries, cruise vessels and offshore vessels. These digital models will be built using operational data and high-fidelity simulation tools to reflect real-world operating profiles.
Øystein Huglen, Head of Technology and Innovation at Maritime CleanTech, stated: “Reconstruction of existing ships to include one or more new technologies is complex and commercially difficult to evaluate. The industry needs tools that make it easier to identify the most effective decarbonisation routes for each vessel.”
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The consortium will integrate machine learning, surrogate modelling and advanced analytics to improve decision-making speed and scalability. By combining operational data with simulation outputs, the project aims to reduce uncertainty in retrofit investment decisions and improve commercial viability assessments.
The resulting design environment is expected to reach technology readiness level (TRL) 7–8 by 2029, positioning it close to commercial deployment.
Alongside technical development, the project will also produce guidance on regulatory approval processes, recommended business models and best practices to support wider industry adoption.
The initiative comes as regulatory frameworks such as FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System increase compliance pressure on shipowners, requiring clearer pathways for emissions reduction across existing fleets.
By addressing both technical and commercial barriers, FIT-HORIZONS aims to provide shipowners, designers and technology providers with a more structured approach to retrofit planning, supporting faster decision-making in an increasingly complex decarbonisation landscape.
