Febraury 2nd, 2026 | Online
The MarLEN project recently held its second half-yearly online meeting, bringing together the project partners to review progress and define the next steps in advancing sustainable and zero-emission waterborne transport across Europe. The virtual gathering convened the consortium representatives from the participating countries, aiming to accelerate the decarbonisation of waterborne transport in Europe by fostering synergies between national and regional research programmes, in line with the objectives of the Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT) partnership.
The meeting also welcomed the participation of European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) representatives Gabriel Mialocq and Gerd Muysewinkel, who joined the discussions with the project partners.
Over the course of the meeting, partners reported the progress during the first year of the project, particularly the outcomes of MarLEN’s 1st call for proposals. The discussion highlighted the tangible impact of Call 1 in bridging research, industry, and public authorities, reinforcing MarLEN’s role as a key facilitator of cross-sector collaboration. Partners reflected on what distinguishes MarLEN’s transnational funding calls from standard EU or national schemes—its unique collaborative framework, alignment with the Zero Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT) Partnership, and commitment to practical innovation across national boundaries.
Looking ahead, the consortium outlined the operational roadmap for MarLEN’s second call for proposals. Building on lessons and insights from Call 1, partners refined a strategic framework designed to enhance impact, inclusiveness, and stakeholder engagement.
Alongside preparations for Call 2, other planned activities are two Mobilization and Mutual Learning Workshops supported by the Waterborne Technology Platform, aligned with the ZEWT Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) and its six implementation pathways. These workshops will share best practices for decarbonizing the sector and include co-creation sessions where stakeholders will jointly identify key challenges, potential solutions, opportunities, strategies, and actionable recommendations—exploring the policy, financial, technological, and social dimensions of the transition toward zero-emission waterborne transport. In addition, joint Networking & Brokerage events will be organized in collaboration with key clusters such as the Blue Technology Cluster Alliance (BTCA) and flagship EU-funded projects, where participants will explore funding opportunities for decarbonization and learn about the services, support actions, and partnership opportunities offered by various clusters and networks. These events will underline their central role in mobilizing and accelerating blue economy innovation, fostering new collaborations and consortia, and strengthening international cooperation in research and innovation..
The meeting concluded with reflections from the project coordinator, who noted the progress achieved to date and underlined the importance of continued collaboration throughout the entire duration of the project. With preparations of the Call 2 in progress and a comprehensive programme of activities planned, MarLEN continues to advance its work in support of Europe’s transition toward zero-emission waterborne transport. The consortium remains focused on fostering innovation, collaboration, and impact across the maritime and inland waterway sectors.
Further details on the upcoming call as well as event agendas and registration links will be available and shared soon by the project consortium. Follow MarLEN on LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest updates and opportunities.
