Deadline: January 20, 2026
The European Commission has announced a groundbreaking initiative to advance real-time monitoring of regulated and non-regulated emissions from all types of vessels and port activities to enforce emission limits and support cleaner waterfront cities.
The focus includes real-time demonstration of onboard tamper-proof and remote measurement techniques for pollutants including those from alternative fuels and non-regulated vessel emissions, integration of static and remote sensing for emission data sharing, development of harmonized measurement and reporting methods for compliance, identification of real-world releases of harmful substances and ultra-fine particles, innovative technologies to monitor pollution beyond vessels including port operations and industrial activities, development of decision support systems for port and maritime authorities, standardization of certifications and testing, supporting emission reduction plans, and contributing to local, regional, national, and international strategies to reduce emissions in ports and waterfront cities.
The challenge of accurately measuring emissions in coastal and port environments is critical due to the significant environmental and health impacts in these areas. Ports host diverse vessel types, including those with emerging zero-carbon fuels and dual-fuel engines, necessitating advanced monitoring approaches that capture emissions in real time during normal ship operations under varying conditions. This includes pollutants such as NOx, BC, N2O, UFP, NH3, CH4, particulate matter, and non-methane volatile organic compounds.
This Horizon Europe initiative encourages the demonstration of these monitoring technologies across six TEN-T ports, covering at least three sea basins and including at least one inland-waterway port and at least one port in a city participating in the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission. Projects must consider the complexity of emission sources and ensure representativity for broader application.
Beyond vessels, emissions from port activities like cargo handling, towing, fuel storage, bunkering, and related industrial zones are also targeted. Real-time identification and differentiation of emission sources under complex geographic and weather conditions are emphasized. Data accuracy, calibrations, reproducibility, and cybersecurity of interoperable systems are key aspects, with a focus on Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) data.
The initiative aims to develop harmonized and automatic reporting and verification systems compliant with current and future regulations to support shipowners and authorities in emission compliance, potentially enabling legal enforcement. Measurement methods must also address emissions from new fuels, such as ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, and bio-methane, and consider emerging pollutants requiring early regulatory attention.
Furthermore, the call prioritizes the development of engine testing procedures that reflect real operational emissions more accurately and a vessel grading system comparable to the EURO classification for vehicles. The results will aid local and regional authorities in creating effective abatement measures and collaborative governance between ports and cities.
The projects are expected to provide recommendations for certification improvements to cover real-world scenarios better and support environment and noise action plans by supplying real-time emission data. They should identify risk zones for emission limit violations and facilitate data-based decisions to advance the Zero Pollution Action Plan and Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy.
The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around EUR 8.00 million would allow the outcomes to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.
The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 16.00 million.
For more information, visit EC.
