FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS has joined the European research project FIT-HORIZONS, a collaborative initiative focused on developing an intelligent and flexible design environment for the retrofit of existing vessels. The project addresses one of the key challenges facing the maritime industry today: reducing emissions from ships that are expected to remain in operation for many years to come.
While significant progress is being made in the development of low- and zero-emission vessels, the majority of the global fleet will continue operating well beyond the next decade. Retrofitting existing ships with new technologies therefore plays a critical role in achieving international and European climate targets. However, identifying the most effective retrofit strategy for a particular vessel remains a complex engineering task involving technical, operational, and economic considerations.
Coordinated by SINTEF Ocean, FIT-HORIZONS brings together 19 partners from across Europe, including research institutes, software developers, ship designers, equipment manufacturers, classification societies, and vessel operators. The consortium aims to develop a holistic design environment that supports the assessment and optimization of retrofit solutions through the combination of simulation technologies, operational data, and AI-supported engineering methods.
The project focuses on evaluating a broad range of retrofit measures, including alternative fuels, electrification concepts, wind-assisted propulsion systems, air lubrication technologies, hull modifications, and energy-efficiency solutions. Rather than assessing these technologies individually, FIT-HORIZONS seeks to understand how different combinations perform together under realistic operating conditions and across different vessel types.
To achieve this, the project will integrate machine learning techniques, surrogate models, operational data, and high-fidelity simulations into a common workflow. The resulting framework will support more informed decision-making during retrofit studies while reducing the time and effort required to investigate complex design alternatives.
Within the project, FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS contributes its expertise in parametric geometry modeling, process automation, simulation workflow integration, and optimization. Through its CAESES platform, the company supports the efficient generation and modification of geometry variants as well as the automation of engineering processes required for systematic design exploration and evaluation.
The methodologies developed within FIT-HORIZONS will be demonstrated using six representative vessel segments covering inland waterways, short-sea shipping, long-distance shipping, ferries, cruise vessels, and offshore vessels. These demonstration cases will provide realistic validation scenarios and help assess the applicability of the developed technologies across different operational contexts.
In addition to the technical developments, the consortium will work on recommendations for best practices, regulatory approval procedures, and business models that can support the wider adoption of retrofit technologies throughout the maritime industry. By the end of the project, the developed design environment is expected to reach a technology readiness level of TRL 7–8.
The FIT-HORIZONS project is scheduled to run until 2029.
Project Partners
The consortium consists of SINTEF Ocean, Maritime CleanTech, FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS, VARD Design, Laskaridis Shipping Company, SimFWD, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, bound4blue, Entwicklungszentrum für Schiffstechnik und Transportsysteme, Atlantec Enterprise Solutions, Alfa Laval Rotterdam, American Bureau of Shipping, Hurtigruten, Tidewater Rederi, Columbia Shipmanagement, Levante Ferries, University of Strathclyde, Haeger & Schmidt Logistics, and LMG Marin.
Funding
This project is co-funded by the European Union through the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under Grant Agreement No. 101270016.