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Hydrogen based marine propulsion manufacturer from an EU Member State sought for technology development and commercialisation in European projects

Summary

Profile Type
  • Technology request
POD Reference
TRLV20260720021
Term of Validity
20 July 2026 - 20 July 2027
Company's Country
  • Latvia
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
A Latvian organisation is preparing EU cooperation projects in the field of advanced marine propulsion technologies.
The organisation is seeking an SME or industrial company established in an EU Member State that has developed a hydrogen-powered marine propulsion system or a hybrid propulsion solution incorporating hydrogen based technology at minimum TRL 6.
The sought partner should be interested in further development, integration, validation, industrialisation and commercialisation.
Full Description
A Latvian organisation experienced in European innovation and technology-development projects is building cooperation opportunities for Horizon Europe and other future EU-funded projects in the field of hydrogen-based marine propulsion.
The organisation is looking for a manufacturer or technology owner established within the European Union that has already developed a full hydrogen-powered propulsion system or a hydrogen-hybrid powertrain suitable for marine applications.
The proposed technology must have reached at least Technology Readiness Level 6 and should already exist as a functional prototype, integrated system or pre-commercial solution demonstrated in a relevant environment.
The proposed solution may be based on:
* hydrogen fuel cells supplying electric propulsion;
* hydrogen internal-combustion engines;
* hydrogen-electric propulsion architectures;
* hydrogen-battery hybrid systems;
* hydrogen combined with another low-emission propulsion source;
* integrated fuel-cell, battery and electric-drive systems;
* hydrogen storage, conditioning, control and safety subsystems forming part of the propulsion package;
* modular hydrogen power units suitable for integration into marine platforms.

The propulsion system must be designed for, demonstrated in, or capable of being adapted to marine operating requirements. This may include resistance to humidity, saltwater exposure, corrosion, vibration, temperature variation and space or weight limitations.

The cooperation is not intended to finance the development of a hydrogen propulsion concept from the initial idea stage. The selected manufacturer should already possess an operational technology base and the legal right to develop and commercialise it.

Potential cooperation activities may include:
* further technical development of the existing propulsion system;
* improvement of efficiency, reliability and system integration;
* optimisation of hydrogen and electrical energy management;
* integration of fuel cells, batteries, electric motors or hydrogen engines;
* adaptation to additional marine configurations;
* improvement of storage, thermal-management and safety functions;
* validation and demonstration in relevant conditions;
* preparation for certification and regulatory compliance;
* industrialisation and wider commercial deployment.

The exact development activities and technical responsibilities will be agreed jointly with the selected manufacturer under suitable Horizon Europe topics or other EU funding opportunities.

Due to the commercially sensitive nature of the planned initiative, details concerning the wider project concept, consortium composition, intended deployment approach and planned activities will not be disclosed publicly.
Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
The sought manufacturer should have:
* an existing hydrogen marine propulsion or hydrogen-hybrid solution;
* minimum TRL 6;
* ownership of, or documented rights to develop and commercialise, the technology;
* internal capacity to engineer and integrate the propulsion system;
* a technology designed for marine use or credibly adaptable to marine conditions;
* relevant safety and risk-management competence;
* a credible industrialisation and market-development pathway;
* capacity to participate in Horizon Europe or other EU-funded research, innovation or demonstration projects;
* willingness to contribute personnel, technical resources and, where required, co-financing.

The system may use compressed, liquid or another technically justified hydrogen-storage configuration, subject to applicable safety and regulatory requirements.

No detailed power range, storage volume or marine-platform category is prescribed at the public profile stage.
Stage of Development
  • Available for demonstration
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 13: Climate Action
  • Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
The selected company is expected to:
* participate as an industrial project partner;
* provide an existing hydrogen propulsion system as the basis for further development;
* define the required technical improvements and integration needs;
* carry out agreed development, engineering and validation activities;
* contribute to safety, certification and regulatory-compliance work;
* provide evidence of technology maturity and development rights;
* contribute to industrialisation and commercialisation planning;
* participate actively in proposal preparation;
* provide the required technical, administrative and financial information;
* contribute co-financing where required by the selected EU funding programme.

The organisation is not seeking hydrogen consultants, fuel suppliers without propulsion-development capacity, distributors without technology rights or organisations interested only in proposal preparation.
Type and Size of Partner
  • Big company
  • University
  • Other
  • SME 50 - 249
  • R&D Institution
  • SME <=10
  • SME 11-49
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 04002001 - Fuel cells
  • 04002005 - Generators, electric engines and power converters
  • 04002002 - Hydrogen production
Market keywords
  • 09001007 - Other transportation
  • 09001005 - Motor vehicles, transportation equipment and parts
  • 09004008 - Other manufacturing (not elsewhere classified)
  • 06002004 - Hydro-electric
Targeted countries
  • All countries