Reducing emissions from inter-island maritime transport and moving towards more sustainable mobility is the objective of the HIGHGREENCRAFT project (Technological Solutions for Fast Ferries within the EU framework), a research project by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) that will study the development and technical and economic viability of new technologies to make fast ferries operating in the archipelago more sustainable.
The project will be developed between January 2026 and September 2028 and will contribute to promoting more efficient and environmentally friendly inter-island maritime transport, in line with the European Union's decarbonization objectives.
HIGHGREENCRAFT is a beneficiary of the call for grants for applied R&D projects promoted by the Ministry of Universities, Science and Innovation and Culture (CUCIC) of the Government of the Canary Islands, through the Canary Agency for Research, Innovation and Information Society (ACIISI).
A Strategic Challenge for the Canary Islands
Fast ferries play a fundamental role in the connectivity of the archipelago, facilitating the transport of people and goods between the islands. However, their high energy consumption presents the challenge of incorporating solutions that reduce their environmental impact without compromising their efficiency.
In this context, HIGHGREENCRAFT will investigate the application of clean and emerging technologies that allow for reducing the emissions of these vessels and moving towards a more sustainable maritime transport model. With this, the project aims to contribute to the energy transition of a strategic sector for the Canary Islands, where maritime transport is essential for territorial cohesion and economic activity.
Research with Impact on the Blue Economy
The project obtained a score of 81.70 points in the scientific and technical evaluation process of the call and will receive a grant of 50,079 euros.
In addition to generating scientific knowledge, the research will contribute to strengthening innovation in an area of particular relevance for the Canary Islands, such as the blue economy, favoring the development of technological solutions with potential for transfer to the naval sector.
HIGHGREENCRAFT aligns with the priorities of the Canary Islands Smart Specialisation Strategy (extended RIS3), especially in the field of the Blue Economy Industry and, transversally, in the axis of sustainability linked to energy and mobility.
This ULPGC initiative is part of the 17 selected projects in the call for aid for applied R&D projects, which mobilizes more than 2.5 million euros in the Canary Islands. The financing line is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), within the framework of the ERDF Canary Islands 2021-2027 Programme, with the aim of strengthening the scientific and technological capacities of the archipelago, promoting the transfer of knowledge to the productive sector and fostering specialized research employment.