The European project REFEST – Retrofitting of Fishing Fleets with Low Payback Time and Easy to Deploy Solutions for Footprint and GHG Emissions Reduction – launched on May 1, 2024, address the growing need to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in traditional fishing vessels.
Funded under the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030”, REFEST aims to develop scalable, low-cost technologies capable of reducing emissions by up to 40%. The project focuses mainly on retrofit requirements for fishing vessels, environmental and biodiversity impact assessment, battery design and sensor integration, and economic and social assessments.
The solutions developed will be practical, easily deployable, and economically sustainable, having a significant impact on small fishing fleets.
The Consortium
The REFEST consortium is composed of 14 experienced academic and industrial partners from 10 countries covering the Mediterranean, North, and Baltic Seas: Italy, Spain, Turkey, Lithuania, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, and Poland. The partners include:
- 4 Research and Technology Organizations: KU (Klaipeda University) – Project Coordinator, RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden), MIR (Morski Instytut Rybacki), AIMPLAS (Asociacion de investigacion de materiales plastico y conexas).
- 2 Large companies: ELKON (ELKON ELEKTRIK SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM sirketi), RINA Consulting.
- 7 Small Medium Enterprises: TUCO (TUCO YACHT VAERFT APS), ENCO Srl, NXH (NEXTHORIZON), BLUENAV, CALSENS (Cálculo de Estructuras Sensadas), EAS Batteries GmbH, GEMI Boats Scandinavia AS.
- 1 Fishing Association: LFPA (Lithuanian Fisheries Producers Association).
This international consortium brings together multidisciplinary expertise from the maritime, scientific, technological, and industrial sectors to develop concrete and innovative solutions.
2024 Milestones
Kickoff Meeting (May 22-23, 2024)
- Hosted by the project coordinator, Klaipeda University in Klaipeda, Lithuania
- Brought together key academic and industrial stakeholders
- Presented project overview and six-month activity plan
Consortium Meeting (November 19-20, 2024)
- Hosted by project partners CALSENS and AIMPLAS in Valencia, Spain
- Reviewed first six months of project progress
- Discussed technical works, challenges, and next steps
Looking Ahead
Currently, the partners are working on technical activities to develop the final solutions that will enable the achievement of the project’s goals. These efforts include:
- Designing and testing innovative technologies to improve the energy efficiency of fishing vessels.
- Collaborating with local fleets to ensure that the solutions are practical and adaptable to the real needs of the sector.
Networking and Synergies with Other Projects
In addition to its core technical activities, the REFEST project has also started establishing important networking activities and synergies with other EU-funded initiatives in the maritime and environmental sectors. These collaborations are expected to enhance the impact of the REFEST solutions and foster further innovation through the exchange of knowledge, technologies, and best practices.
Towards a Sustainable Future
REFEST represents a concrete example of the European Union’s commitment to integrating technological innovation with environmental sustainability. The project aims not only to improve the efficiency of vessels but also to protect marine ecosystems for future generations.
For more information about REFEST and future developments, visit the official project website www.refest-project.eu and social media pages on LinkedIn , X and YouTube.
Press Contact:
Vasilij Djackov – KLAIPEDA UNIVERSITY – Project Coordinator vasilij.djackov@ku.lt
Ania Capraro – ENCO SRL – Project & Communication Manager capraro@enco-consulting.it
