Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SEAGLOW (Sustainable Energy Applications for Green and Low-impact Operation of small-scale fishing boats in the Baltic and North Sea basins)
Período documentado: 2024-05-01 hasta 2025-10-31
The SEAGLOW project (Sustainable Energy Applications for Green and Low-impact Operation of small-scale fishing boats in the Baltic and North Sea basins) demonstrates the impact and potential of low-carbon technologies to reduce fossil fuel consumption, air emissions and environmental pressures from small-scale fishing vessels. The project builds evidence through full-scale demonstrations on four vessels operating under real conditions in Denmark, Estonia, Norway and Sweden.
As market conditions evolved, the original ambition to include methanol engines was adapted to HVO-ready diesel–electric hybrid propulsion, reflecting current technology maturity and availability in the small-vessel segment. Retrofit solutions now include hybrid drivetrains, electro-hydraulic equipment, battery systems, efficient propellers, and advanced eco-coatings that reduce drag and copper pollution. In Norway, an e-coating antifouling solution has already been applied and is under long-term performance monitoring.
SEAGLOW has completed high-quality baseline assessments across all four vessels, including fuel use, propulsion loads, underwater noise, and emissions (CO2, NOx, SOx, particles). Continuous monitoring systems (SIMUL and upgraded CAN-based loggers) now provide long-term operational data, enabling robust comparison of performance before and after installation of low-carbon technologies.
Data-driven evaluation supports both technology optimisation and behavioural change, allowing crews to understand the fuel and emission impacts of different operating modes. SEAGLOW also assesses potential synergies between solutions, as well as environmental trade-offs, including coating toxicity and impacts on marine communities.
By combining technical demonstration, sustainability assessment, policy insights and business-model development, SEAGLOW contributes directly to the EU Mission “Restore Our Ocean & Waters” and supports a realistic transition pathway for thousands of similar vessels across the Baltic and North Sea basins
As market conditions evolved, the original ambition to include methanol engines was adapted to HVO-ready diesel–electric hybrid propulsion, reflecting current technology maturity and availability in the small-vessel segment. Retrofit solutions now include hybrid drivetrains, electro-hydraulic equipment, battery systems, efficient propellers, and advanced eco-coatings that reduce drag and copper pollution. In Norway, an e-coating antifouling solution has already been applied and is under long-term performance monitoring.
SEAGLOW has completed high-quality baseline assessments across all four vessels, including fuel use, propulsion loads, underwater noise, and emissions (CO2, NOx, SOx, particles). Continuous monitoring systems (SIMUL and upgraded CAN-based loggers) now provide long-term operational data, enabling robust comparison of performance before and after installation of low-carbon technologies.
Data-driven evaluation supports both technology optimisation and behavioural change, allowing crews to understand the fuel and emission impacts of different operating modes. SEAGLOW also assesses potential synergies between solutions, as well as environmental trade-offs, including coating toxicity and impacts on marine communities.
By combining technical demonstration, sustainability assessment, policy insights and business-model development, SEAGLOW contributes directly to the EU Mission “Restore Our Ocean & Waters” and supports a realistic transition pathway for thousands of similar vessels across the Baltic and North Sea basins
SEAGLOW has established a solid technical foundation for demonstrating decarbonisation solutions in small-scale fisheries. Baseline performance, emissions and operational data have been collected on all four pilot vessels, with continuous monitoring in place and underwater noise measurements completed in Sweden. Retrofit packages have been fully designed and adapted to market availability, switching from methanol to HVO-ready hybrid systems while maintaining decarbonisation objectives. The first retrofit — an eco-coating antifouling treatment — has been installed in Norway, with hybrid installations in Denmark, Estonia and Sweden now entering the procurement and planning phase.
A standardised assessment methodology enables comparison of diesel vs. hybrid operations, supported by a new low-cost CAN-based data logging solution. Environmental evaluations, including coating ecotoxicity, noise impacts and DNA-based biofouling analysis, are underway to capture broader ecosystem effects.
Overall, SEAGLOW has completed the key scientific groundwork and is now transitioning into full pilot deployment and impact validation aligned with EU climate and ocean policy priorities.
A standardised assessment methodology enables comparison of diesel vs. hybrid operations, supported by a new low-cost CAN-based data logging solution. Environmental evaluations, including coating ecotoxicity, noise impacts and DNA-based biofouling analysis, are underway to capture broader ecosystem effects.
Overall, SEAGLOW has completed the key scientific groundwork and is now transitioning into full pilot deployment and impact validation aligned with EU climate and ocean policy priorities.
SEAGLOW pushes decarbonisation in small-scale fisheries beyond the current state of the art by demonstrating hybrid propulsion, continuous energy monitoring, and eco-friendly coatings on vessels ≤11 m — a segment with limited policy and technology support today. The project is already generating real operational evidence, including: improved hybrid design based on live fishing data, a scalable low-cost CAN-based monitoring system, and first results showing eco-coatings reduce drag and copper pollution. It also delivers early insights on regulatory and market barriers affecting uptake in Baltic and North Sea fleets.
To scale impact, key needs include: more demonstrations and cost validation, clearer approval processes for batteries and alternative fuels in small vessels, stronger investment incentives, and continued technology development. SEAGLOW therefore provides a practical pathway to climate-neutral and low-impact coastal fisheries aligned with Mission Ocean objectives.
To scale impact, key needs include: more demonstrations and cost validation, clearer approval processes for batteries and alternative fuels in small vessels, stronger investment incentives, and continued technology development. SEAGLOW therefore provides a practical pathway to climate-neutral and low-impact coastal fisheries aligned with Mission Ocean objectives.