The primary focus of the ISHY project was the development, testing, and validation of technical tools and socio-economic models for the incorporation of hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell technologies in vessels and ports. 
The overarching goal was to showcase the feasibility of these energy-saving technologies through the retrofitting of existing vessels, the construction of diverse new vessels, and the establishment of new hydrogen bunkering facilities in ports. The project was strategically designed to increase the probability of adopting low or zero-carbon technology within a sector with substantial CO2 impact potential. This approach underscores the practicality and viability of hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell solutions, underscoring their applicability and effectiveness in the dynamic realms of maritime and port operations.

The comprehensive effort of partners sought to pave the way for the widespread integration of innovative and low-carbon sustainable technologies, fostering a greener and more efficient future for the maritime industry in the 2 Seas area and more broadly across Europe.

The main outputs of the ISHY Projects are:

● A methodology to choose the optimum powertrain components, power rating and technologies of a hybrid vessel in order to reduce its CO2-emissions;

● A method to select the best energy management strategy given a boat configuration;

● A toolbox (business cases & carbon saving potentials) for retrofit and new build vessels of low carbon propulsion technologies;

● Guidance relating to the safe use of gaseous and/or liquefied hydrogen based on the hazards identified on risk assessment carried out;

● A risk assessment tool/model for the implementation of H2 and E-fuelling systems in ports, including a blue print of future ports-network in the 2 Seas area;

● An overall feasibility study through lab testing of the effects of changes in the hydrodynamic performance of vessels through changes in propulsion;

● An overall monitoring and test report of all retrofitted and new build vessels, removable H2 Fuel cell System and H2 bunkering facility;

● The design, development, building and testing of a 'plug and play' H2-fuel cell module to be used in various vessels;

● The development and building of a new multimode hybrid configuration by retrofitting an existing, small patrol/inspection craft;

● A new build passenger or cruise vessel with a combined or hybrid propulsion system of batteries and traditional fuel;

● A hydrogen bunkering facility in the Port of Oostende.

Check the “Outputs” section below to download related material and see “Main Achievements” section for further information about the achieved results.

To achieve its objectives, and to make them applicable across the entire shipping industry and ship fleet, cross-border cooperation and the establishment of a diverse partnership were essential. The ISHY partnership included various vessels, engine builders, experienced knowledge institutions, ports, and other relevant organizations. Designing permissions, certifications, and bunkering facilities with standardized approaches was crucial to provide shippers with certainty and acceptable risk when utilising low carbon propulsion systems.

As such, the project involved a variety of vessels and engine builders, reflecting the diversity of the shipping sector in the 2 Seas area. This diversity facilitated the development of widely applicable tools and methods, allowing for pilot actions with innovative low carbon technologies. These actions aimed to demonstrate and valorise their technical, economic, and environmental feasibility.

Cross-border cooperation was also essential to consolidate technological knowledge and data from industrial partners, knowledge institutes, and innovative SMEs specializing in hybrid and H2 propulsion systems. Jointly developed pilots were crucial for demonstrating feasibility, persuading other ship owners to take similar measures, and encouraging engine builders to advance the development of low carbon solutions. Strong concepts and economic business models required collaboration between knowledge institutes and port authorities, spanning social, technical, and bunkering aspects. 

In general, the cross-border cooperation between the knowledge and industrial partners enabled the ISHY project to achieve valuable research outcomes in exploring hybrid ship propulsion systems, by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise. For instance, the methodologies and optimisation approaches proposed have benefited from the input of experts from different experiences. Therefore, cross-border cooperation expanded the project's access to various data sets and case studies, providing a more comprehensive and diverse research framework that could have been difficult without it, which in turn enabled the realisation of research outcomes that otherwise would have not been possible.