European Space Agency: Maritime Decarbonisation

This call for proposals, issued under the ARTES BASS programme line, is aimed at supporting the development of sustainable space-based services and applications that address challenges related to the decarbonisation of the maritime industry. Additionally, the call seeks to assist the maritime sector in adapting to and complying with new European and international regulatory frameworks.

Maritime decarbonisation is a broad subject that requires the involvement and advancements from various stakeholders. To mirror the multifaceted nature of the required transformations and address the specific needs of different decarbonisation approaches, the Call has been organised into four sub-themes, each open at a different point in time. Please see the list of currently open or upcoming funding calls and their further specific details below:

Sub-theme 1: Decarbonisation through Digitalisation and Logistics Optimisation (opening: June 2024)
Click here for further details: closing date 5 August 2024.

Sub-theme 2: Decarbonisation through Maritime Autonomy (opening: September 2024)
Sub-theme 3: Ports Decarbonisation (opening: November 2024)
Sub-theme 4: Green Propulsion (opening: January 2025)

Satellite technologies and data have a significant role to play within the proposed services:

• Satellite Positioning and timing: SOLAS Regulation V/19.2.1.6 requires all ships – irrespective of size – to have a receiver for a global navigation satellite system. Most logistics and digitalisation services rely on ships’ GNSS as the sole positioning data input. Additionally, GNSS reflectometry can be used to derive sea state for smart routing solutions, and advanced GNSS (e.g. RTK) may be used for high accuracy applications such as autonomous systems.
• Satellite Communications: Satellite connectivity is central to maritime decarbonisation and autonomous shipping. Satellite communications allow ubiquitous real-time connectivity securing a ship-to-shore channel and underpinning data analytics applications. In addition to generic VSAT, IoT, and LEO mega-constellation connectivity solutions, satellites also deliver maritime specific services such as the GMDSS, and satellite AIS, and VDES.
• Satellite Earth Observation: SatEO is routinely used to improve situational awareness on maritime operations including sea state, weather conditions, or hazards such as the presence of ice, which will be used as actionable input for maritime decarbonisation. SatEO is also used to assess the environmental impact of ships and ports, as well as to monitor fuel supply chain.

A briefing webinar was held on Wednesday 22 May 2024: click here to download the slides.

Funded participation is open to any company and/or organisation, be it as a group of users, public body or non-governmental organisation, residing in any of the ESA Member States that are participating to the programme (22 countries including the UK). If you would like help to find a project partner, contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Space team.