Technology group Wärtsilä has officially joined the H4PERION project, funded by the EU Horizon Europe programme. Led by the University of Vaasa in Finland, the project aims to accelerate the transition of deep-sea shipping to a zero-carbon model. Over four years, the project will develop and demonstrate technological solutions to improve ship engine efficiency and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Wärtsilä will develop new combustion technology solutions for the project, enabling internal combustion engines to safely and efficiently use a blend of hydrogen and biomethane fuel, striving to achieve 100% pure hydrogen power operation under deep-sea navigation conditions.
Henri Karimäki, Research Director at the University of Vaasa, stated: “The shipping industry is exploring various low-carbon fuels, and hydrogen is a zero-carbon energy option with great potential. The H4PERION project focuses on the practical application and safety standards of hydrogen in the maritime sector, aiming to drive technological innovation and set new industry benchmarks. Pan-European cross-institutional collaboration is the core key to achieving this goal.”
Additionally, Wärtsilä will develop dedicated catalytic systems to reduce methane slip and other pollutant emissions, helping to further lower the carbon footprint of ships throughout their lifecycle.
Wärtsilä will conduct real-ship technology demonstrations on the Aurora Botnia ferry operated by Wasaline, with a focus on reducing ship emissions, particularly methane slip. The project also includes professional training for crew and port personnel, along with a series of supporting activities to ensure the safe application of sustainable fuels.
The H4PERION project has a duration of four years, concluding at the end of May 2030. During the project, sea trials will be conducted on the Aurora Botnia ferry operating between Finland and Sweden; simultaneously, a full-scale engine of the same model will be installed in the laboratory to simulate real navigation conditions for testing, continuously optimizing equipment performance. Data from both the real-ship and laboratory tests will be integrated into a digital twin model, providing data support for long-term technology iteration and future ship design and development.
Anders Öster, General Manager of Research Coordination and Financing at Wärtsilä Marine, stated: “Achieving net-zero emissions in the shipping industry is a shared mission for the entire sector. Only through close cross-industry collaboration and a unified development consensus can we continuously accelerate the implementation of maritime zero-carbon solutions.”
The H4PERION project brings together 16 partner institutions from 7 European countries, covering the complete maritime industry chain including ship design, engine development, ship operation, professional training, safety standards, and academic research. In addition to the University of Vaasa and Wärtsilä, partners include the European Maritime Education Group, National Technical University of Athens, Tallinn University of Technology, American Bureau of Shipping, Deltamarin Design Office, University of Oulu, Åbo Akademi University, Meric Wave Computanics, German Aerospace Center, BALance Technology Consulting, Meyer Werft, and Wasaline. Each party integrates its professional technical advantages to ensure that the project’s research results can be quickly and safely put into commercial practical application.
