Recognising the growing importance of raising awareness on sustainable transport as one of the keys to a more sustainable future, in 2023 World Sustainable Transport Day was introduced as a new international day by the United Nations.
Being the creation of sustainable alternatives for the maritime sector the driving force behind the work of two EIC Accelerator beneficiaries, bound4blue and Cold Pad, in its official day – 26 November – we are showcasing their promising solutions to transform the maritime sector to achieve both environmental and economic viability.
While the EIC-funded C_CLAW_C_HAWK project – coordinated by Cold Pad – addresses the need for non-intrusive assembly solutions for infrastructures as offshore wind turbines and oil and gas storage facilities, EIC-backed bound4blue – led by bound4blue – brings a gamechanger for shipowners and operators with wind-assisted propulsion systems for shipping.
Despite targeting different markets, both EIC projects could provide tangible pathways to a greener future in maritime transport. On 22 October the two beneficiaries shared the floor – with another three selected – at the EIC Matchmaking procurement event: Maritime Climate Action in Greece, to present their innovations to global leaders in the maritime and shipping industry.
Towards a reduction of the environmental impact of the maritime sector
Bound4blue (Spain): harnessing the power of wind to decarbonise shipping
Led by a team of wind propulsion specialists, the dual economic and environmental impact sought by bound4blue is clear in its mission. Leveraging the power of wind through its eSAIL® technology, it aims to achieve double-digit percentage reductions in emissions and operational costs. Harnessing a free, infinite energy source would indeed enable them to drastically reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
As Dana Camps Valls, Head of Marketing at blound4blue, explains, the project additionally addresses a growing urgency for the maritime sector to comply with international and EU regulations, which are becoming increasingly stringent:
By offering a proven solution that integrates with existing vessels (retrofits) and newbuilds alike, we empower shipowners and operators to meet these regulations while improving their economic performance.
Cold Pad (France): pioneering innovative assembly solutions to welding and drilling
Cold Pad’s diverse team, ranging from engineers to experts in aeronautics, describes its groundbreaking innovation as safer, faster and cost-effective.
Indeed, its technology offers a game-changing solution: it eliminates heat and spark generation on offshore oil and gas platforms, ensuring safety while providing a faster, easier installation process.
Describing the unsuitability of traditional methods like welding or bolting, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cold Pad, Julien Bec, adds:
The current shift of the commercial fleet to innovative transition fuels like Hydrogen, LNG, Ammonia, or Methanol comes with unique challenges, particularly their high sensitivity to heat and sparks, which pose significant fire hazards. Traditional methods like welding or bolting are often unsuitable due to these risks.
Cold Pad and bound4blue selected to pitch their innovations at the EIC Matchmaking procurement event: Maritime Climate Action
Hosted by the National Bank of Greece and organised by SPIN4EIC in collaboration with Iomarlabs, the EIC Matchmaking procurement event: Maritime Climate Action provided a unique opportunity to EIC innovators to forge new connections and potential partnerships with industry experts.
For bound4blue and Cold Pad, as two of the five selected beneficiaries, the event provided a unique platform to present their innovative solutions to a diverse audience, including Greek government officials, the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the local maritime community.
As Dana Camps Valls, Head of Marketing at blound4blue, notes:
The event has opened up exciting opportunities for collaborations and funding that could benefit us both immediately and in the future. It has also highlighted how critical innovations like ours are to achieving the industry's decarbonization goals.
On Cold Pad’s side, its CEO Julien Bec, adds:
Engaging with key stakeholders we showcased our expertise and demonstrated how our technologies can help the maritime sector significantly reduce its environmental impact —all in one impactful event.
Recent achievements and future prospects
The two patented types of wingsails and the successful installation of its technology on four vessels – with additional 13 projects in the pipeline – underscores the tangible environmental and economic impact of bound4blue’s solution and the trust it has built within the industry.
Not less noticeable is Cold Pad’s recent achievement, that of successfully developing – under the Horizon 2024 program – a cost-effective anchor point tailored for the maritime industry, including commercial vessels as well as offshore and onshore wind turbines.
This breakthrough anchor point, certified in November 4th by Bureau Veritas, boasts an unprecedented 35-year lifespan in maritime environments — a world-first for a bonded mechanical anchor point.
Additional information
C_CLAW_C_HAWK and bound4blue are EIC Accelerator Challenges beneficiaries, which supports companies (principally start-ups and SMEs) to scale up high impact innovations with the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones in identified areas of strategic relevance. Cold Pad and bound4blue coordinate the two projects, which benefit from the companies’ commitment to supporting the maritime sector’s green transition.
For more information on the C_CLAW_C_HAWK project, please visit the dedicated page on CORDIS.
For more information on the bound4blue project, please visit the dedicated page on CORDIS.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided in the interest of knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission, or any other organisation.