Lavinia
Innovation Centre

Implemented in collaboration with the Hellenic Naval Academy, Prisma Electronics and National Kapodistrian University of Athens. Digitsense was a project focused on the development of a Digital Twin of a vessel’s energy systems, fully integrated with onboard sensor data collection and processing infrastructure. The project aimed to create a dynamic and continuously updated virtual representation of the ship’s energy profile.

By leveraging real-time measurements from multiple onboard systems, the Digital Twin provided accurate estimations of key energy flows, including fuel consumption, power generation, and distribution across the vessel. This enabled enhanced visibility of energy performance and supported more informed operational decision-making.
The integrated environment allowed for continuous monitoring, performance analysis, and the identification of inefficiencies, paving the way for optimization opportunities.

Ultimately, the project demonstrated the value of combining high-frequency data with advanced modelling techniques to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and support the transition towards more intelligent and data-driven maritime operations.

RETROFIT55 is a Horizon Europe project initiated three years ago and currently approaching completion in June, involving 14 European partners from across the maritime, academic, and research sectors. The project focuses on the development and demonstration of advanced decarbonization solutions and green technologies aimed at significantly reducing fuel oil consumption and achieving up to 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, in alignment with the “Zero Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT)” vision.

The initiative explores a combination of retrofit technologies, including energy efficiency measures, alternative fuels, digital optimization tools, and innovative propulsion concepts, with a strong emphasis on their practical applicability to the existing fleet. By integrating real operational data with advanced modelling and simulation techniques, RETROFIT55 evaluates the performance, feasibility, and impact of different technology pathways under realistic operating conditions.

Through this holistic approach, the project provides actionable insights and scalable solutions that support shipowners in their decarbonization strategies, contributing to a more sustainable and energy-efficient maritime industry.

FIT-HORIZONS is a Horizon Europe project commencing this May 2026, with a duration of four years and the participation of 19 European partners from academia, industry, and research organizations. The project aims to develop an intelligent, decision-support tool for the design and evaluation of retrofit solutions for waterborne vessels.

The tool will be capable of analyzing a wide range of retrofit technologies, including energy efficiency measures, alternative fuels, and decarbonization solutions, both individually and in combination. By adopting a holistic approach, it will assess technical feasibility, environmental impact, and economic performance, enabling optimized retrofit strategies tailored to specific vessel types and operational profiles.

Leveraging advanced modelling techniques, data-driven methods, and real operational inputs, FIT-HORIZONS seeks to support shipowners in making informed investment decisions and to accelerate the transition of the existing fleet towards more sustainable and energy-efficient operations.

Conducted in collaboration with Bureau Veritas and Metis Cyberspace Technology. This project focused on the development of advanced class notations that reflect the latest progress in maritime digitalization and the effective use of high-frequency onboard data. The initiative aimed to enhance transparency, reliability, and performance monitoring by leveraging real-time vessel data to support optimized operational decision-making.

Through the integration of telemetry systems and continuous data streams, the project enabled more accurate monitoring of vessel performance, fuel consumption, and emissions, contributing to improved efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas footprint. It also supported the alignment of digital capabilities with class requirements, ensuring standardization and recognition of advanced data infrastructures onboard.

As a result, all applicable vessels in the fleet equipped with either Metis or Laros telemetry systems have successfully obtained the SMART notation from Bureau Veritas, marking a significant milestone in the company’s digital transformation journey and its commitment to data-driven, efficient, and more sustainable shipping operations.

Carried out with Cambridge Research Centre in Singapore and Metis Cyberspace Technology. This project focuses on the investigation and evaluation of alternative fuels in the maritime sector, with particular emphasis on ammonia and hydrogen. The initiative explores the technical feasibility, safety considerations, and operational implications of integrating such fuels into existing and future vessel designs.

Through the use of real operational data and advanced analytical tools, the project aims to assess fuel performance, energy efficiency, emissions reduction potential, and the overall impact on vessel operations. In parallel, it examines challenges related to storage, handling, infrastructure requirements, and crew readiness. The ultimate objective is to support the transition towards low- and zero-carbon shipping by providing evidence-based insights that can guide strategic decisions and accelerate the adoption of sustainable fuel solutions across the fleet.

Conducted in collaboration with American Bureau of Shipping and HolosGen. project focused on performing a comprehensive Hazard Identification (HAZID) analysis for the potential installation of nuclear power systems onboard vessels. The study systematically identified and assessed key safety, operational, environmental, and regulatory risks associated with the integration of nuclear technologies into maritime applications.

The analysis covered critical aspects such as reactor safety, radiation protection, emergency response procedures, crew competency requirements, and compliance with international maritime and nuclear regulations. Through structured workshops and expert-driven risk assessments, the project provided a detailed framework for understanding potential hazards and defining appropriate mitigation measures.

The outcomes of the study contribute to the broader discussion on future alternative energy solutions in shipping, particularly in the context of decarbonization and energy efficiency. The work has been formally published and presented at the European Maritime Safety Agency headquarters, highlighting its relevance and impact within the maritime safety and regulatory community.

Carried out in collaboration with Bureau Veritas and Advent Technologies. This project focused on a feasibility study for the installation of fuel cell systems onboard an Ultramax vessel. The study examined the optimal integration of a fuel cell unit, including potential installation locations, system configuration, and compatibility with existing vessel infrastructure.

Particular attention was given to operational constraints, safety considerations, and regulatory requirements associated with fuel cell deployment in a maritime environment. The project also assessed technical limitations, space and weight constraints, as well as implications for vessel performance and crew operations, providing a comprehensive foundation for future demonstration and implementation.

Development of a remotely operated vehicle using components manufactured from recycled fishing nets, in collaboration with Marimate and BlueCycle. The initiative aims to demonstrate how circular economy principles can be effectively applied in marine technology by transforming marine waste into high-value engineering materials.

A key aspect of the project is the replacement of the conventional ROV grid structure with a newly designed grid produced from recycled materials. This involves evaluating the mechanical strength, durability, and operational performance of the recycled components to ensure they meet the demanding requirements of underwater operations.

Beyond the technical scope, the project highlights the potential to reduce marine pollution while promoting sustainable manufacturing practices within the maritime sector. By combining innovation with environmental responsibility, the initiative contributes to the development of more sustainable marine technologies and supports the broader transition towards a circular and resource-efficient maritime industry.

This project will involve a comprehensive feasibility assessment of a wind-assisted propulsion system (WASP), to be conducted in collaboration with Bound4Blue and Bureau Veritas. The study will evaluate the technical and operational viability of integrating wind propulsion technologies, such as suction sails, onboard existing vessels.

The assessment will examine optimal installation configurations, including positioning, structural integration, and interaction with existing ship systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on operational performance, fuel savings potential, and emissions reduction under various trading routes and environmental conditions.

In parallel, the project will address key constraints such as space availability, stability implications, safety considerations, and compliance with class and regulatory requirements. It will also assess the impact on vessel operations and crew interaction with the system.

Subject to the outcomes of the feasibility study, the project will proceed with a potential onboard installation and demonstration, aiming to validate performance in real operating conditions and support future large-scale deployment as part of the company’s decarbonization strategy.

This project is conducted in collaboration with the Norwegian School of Economics, Liverpool John Moores University, the Panama Maritime Authority, and the International Maritime University of Panama. It focuses on the development of a Green Shipping Corridor, aiming to establish low- or zero-emission maritime routes by integrating technological, operational, and regulatory solutions.

The initiative will assess key trade routes connected to Panama, identifying opportunities to reduce emissions through the adoption of alternative fuels, energy-efficient technologies, and optimized operational practices. It will also examine port infrastructure readiness, supply chain integration, and the alignment of stakeholders across the maritime value chain, including shipowners, ports, regulators, and fuel providers.

By combining real operational data with advanced analytical tools and policy insights, the project seeks to create a scalable and replicable framework for green corridors. Ultimately, it aims to accelerate the decarbonization of international shipping while supporting global climate targets and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and regulatory bodies.

Conducted in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University and Armada Technologies, this project investigated a promising and novel method for drag reduction (DR) in ships through water injection beneath the hull within the turbulent boundary layer (TBL).

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed across a range of Froude numbers and injection ratios to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach. The project aimed to: (1) quantify the relationship between water injection and drag reduction, (2) understand the influence of injected water on the overall behavior of the turbulent boundary layer, and (3) develop a non-dimensional predictive model for drag reduction.

This research significantly enhanced the understanding of fluid-induced drag reduction mechanisms and contributed to improving overall vessel efficiency, supporting the development of more energy-efficient and sustainable maritime operations.

To be carried out in collaboration with Prisma Electronics, the RELIFE project will focus on the development of an integrated Digital Twin platform covering the entire lifecycle of a vessel, from design and construction to operation and end-of-life phases .

The project will aim to address the growing need for a holistic approach to maritime digitalization and decarbonization, going beyond traditional solutions that focus only on the operational phase. Through the integration of high-frequency data, advanced analytics, and Responsible Artificial Intelligence, the platform will enable enhanced decision-making aligned with circular economy principles.

Key functionalities will include real-time performance monitoring, predictive maintenance, life cycle environmental impact assessment, and construction quality monitoring. The system will incorporate advanced data fusion techniques and a hybrid cloud–fog–mist architecture, ensuring efficient data processing and scalability across ship and shore environments.

Overall, the RELIFE project is expected to contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of vessels across their entire lifecycle, improving operational efficiency, and supporting compliance with increasingly stringent regulatory frameworks, while advancing the adoption of transparent and trustworthy AI-driven solutions in maritime applications.

To be carried out in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde and the American Bureau of Shipping, the NZCLEAR project aims to assess the feasibility of using small modular reactors (SMRs) to enable zero-emission commercial shipping and port energy systems.

The project will follow a structured methodological approach, including nuclear technology refinement, system modelling and integration, systemic safety assessment, as well as regulatory and security gap analysis. In addition, a comprehensive environmental and financial assessment will be conducted to address key technical, safety, regulatory, security, and economic challenges associated with nuclear maritime applications.

By leveraging real ship and port operational data, NZCLEAR will provide quantitative evidence on feasibility, risks, and overall impacts, supporting informed decision-making by industry stakeholders, regulators, and policymakers. Ultimately, the project aims to contribute to the international transition towards decarbonized maritime transport.

To be carried out in collaboration with the National Technical University of Athens, this project aims to apply an innovative method based on Advanced Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (APOD) to support performance engineering and assessment of critical ship systems.

By leveraging real high-frequency operational data, the project will analyze key vessel parameters and identify underlying patterns, dominant modes, and anomalies that may indicate potential system degradation or failure. The APOD-based approach will enable efficient dimensionality reduction of complex datasets, allowing for improved interpretation of system behavior under varying operational and environmental conditions.

The project is expected to enhance diagnostic and prognostic capabilities, enabling early fault detection and a deeper understanding of system dynamics. Ultimately, it will support more reliable, data-driven maintenance strategies, improve operational efficiency, and contribute to safer and more resilient vessel operations.