European FIT-HORIZONS Project Aims to Decarbonize Existing Fleet Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. June 11, 2026 © FIT-HORIZONS A new European partnership is set to help shipping companies navigate one of the industry's biggest climate challenges: how to decarbonize the existing fleet quickly, safely, and cost-effectively. The new FIT-HORIZONS project is bringing together 19 leading maritime companies, researchers, universities, software developers, and technology providers from across Europe to develop an intelligent and flexible retrofit design environment for low- and zero-emission shipping. Coordinated by SINTEF Ocean and funded by the European Union with nearly USD$4.61 million (€4 million), the project aims to simplify and accelerate retrofit decisions for shipowners by combining advanced simulation tools, Al-supported modeling, and operational data into one holistic design framework. Practical tools for decarbonization The maritime sector currently accounts for around 3% of global CO2 emissions. While new zero-emission vessels are entering the market, most ships operating today are expected to remain in service for decades. Retrofitting the existing fleet is therefore essential to achieving international climate targets. "Shipping needs practical pathways to decarbonization now, not only in the future. FIT-HORIZONS will help the industry make better retrofit decisions by understanding how different technologies interact onboard a vessel. Our ambition is to reduce uncertainty and accelerate the transition from analysis to implementation," said FIT-HORIZONS coordinator, Dr. Kourosh Koushan, Special Advisor at SINTEF Ocean. The project will develop and validate a flexible design environment capable of evaluating multiple retrofit technologies simultaneously, including alternative fuels, electrification, wind-assisted propulsion systems, air lubrication systems, hull modifications, and energy efficiency solutions. Rather than assessing technologies in isolation, th