Strengthening the capacity for excellence of Slovenian and Croatian innovation ecosystems to support the digital and green transitions of maritime regions

Project Information

INNO2MARE

Grant agreement ID: 101087348

DOI

10.3030/101087348

EC signature date 10 November 2022

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 31 December 2026

Funded under

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Total cost

€ 4 985 150,00

EU contribution

€ 4 985 150,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANI
Slovenia

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - INNO2MARE (Strengthening the capacity for excellence of Slovenian and Croatian innovation ecosystems to support the digital and green transitions of maritime regions)

Reporting period: 2024-04-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The main goal of INNO2MARE is to strengthen the excellence and resilience of the Western Slovenian and Adriatic Croatian maritime innovation ecosystems through a series of jointly designed and implemented actions that support the digital and green transitions of maritime and related industries. Building on in-depth ecosystem mapping and a needs and gaps analysis, the consortium will develop a long-term research and innovation (R&I) strategy aligned with regional, national, and EU priorities. This strategy will serve as a visionary framework, complemented by a joint action and investment plan outlining concrete steps to establish coordinated, resilient, attractive, and sustainable maritime innovation ecosystems.To support the joint strategy and provide a model for future collaborative R&I, the project implemented three pilot projects addressing key challenges in maritime education and training, maritime traffic safety and security, and energy conversion and management systems efficiency. Throughout all project activities, the Western Slovenian and Adriatic Croatian ecosystems benefit from the transfer of best practices from the Flemish ecosystem, one of the most advanced maritime innovation ecosystems globally.

The consortium has successfully delivered Key Exploitable Result 1 (KER1) – the Long-term Joint Research and Innovation (R&I) Strategy. This strategic document establishes a comprehensive framework designed to strengthen and interconnect the maritime innovation ecosystems of Western Slovenia and Adriatic Croatia.
The strategy directly addresses key regional challenges, such as the low uptake of advanced and digital technologies, limited cross-sector collaboration among academia, industry, and public institutions, and the need for stronger alignment with the EU’s green and digital transition goals.

To ensure long-term impact, the Joint Action and Investment Plan - Key Exploitable Result 3 (KER3) - is a concise roadmap for the sustainable development of maritime innovation ecosystems. Co-created with stakeholder input, KER3 aligns with national priorities and EU policy frameworks, ensuring coordinated, scalable, and impactful actions for the long-term growth of the sector.

Pre-planning for Pilots and Demonstrators has advanced the uptake of project results by developing feasibility tools, adaptive implementation methods, and strategic partnerships. A key achievement is the establishment of a new test site at Iskra Shipyard in Šibenik, providing a practical platform for pilots and technology demonstrations that accelerate industry adoption.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The initial stage of the INNO2MARE project focused on understanding key actors, processes, activities, and relationships within and between the involved innovation ecosystems.
The Innovation Council (IC) was established, consisting of key members and innovators from the Slovenian, Croatian, and Belgian ecosystems. The IC's main purpose is to support and promote the project.
Based on the R&I gaps analysis, all three Pilot projects are highly relevant to the maritime industry:
Pilot project 1: Developed a script for transferring CFD analysis results into a VR environment. Tested the CFD model and disseminated results through conferences and journal publications.
Pilot project 2: Improved self-building and simulation algorithms, developed prediction and management algorithms, and built a new database connected to the digital twin. Explored Python for digital twin development and created a Human-Machine Interface (HMI).
Pilot project 3: Developed and validated probabilistic and AI-based vessel trajectory forecasting models, with RNNs outperforming traditional methods. Results were published in Q1 journals, contributing to safer and more efficient autonomous navigation.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Pilot project 1 – The VR-based fire evacuation training system offers a scalable, immersive solution that enhances realism and safety in maritime education. It is applicable to firefighting and rescue teams in enclosed environments like ships and buildings. Ongoing testing aims to reach Technology Readiness Level (TRL) , TRL 4–5.
Key needs include curriculum integration, instructor training, scenario expansion, hardware compatibility, and user feedback to support adoption.

Pilot project 2 – The AI-powered digital twin for energy management is being integrated into ISKRA’s facilities, enabling real-time monitoring and predictive optimization for cost savings and sustainability. A fully functional prototype is already in use, with plans for full integration at the Šibenik site using live data and daily updates.The goal is to create a scalable solution for maritime and industrial facilities. Key needs: ongoing technical support and strategic partnerships for wider deployment.

Pilot project 3 – AI modules for sea state estimation and trajectory prediction are being adapted for real-time use in embedded systems on ships and personal watercraft. These enable smarter, behavior-aware speed limits that improve safety by predicting actions, reducing false alarms in busy coastal and freshwater areas. The project advances maritime digitalization and supports semi-autonomous navigation. Key needs: field validation, multi-vessel testing, system integration, regulatory approval, and user training.

These pilots provide a foundation for transitioning to Technology Readiness Level 6-7 (TRL 6–7) , with clear pathways for commercialization, regulatory alignment, and broader adoption across maritime, manufacturing, and logistics sectors. Securing sustainable funding and fostering strong industry partnerships will be essential for scaling and long-term success.