Maritime Environment-friendly TRanspOrt systems (METRO)
http://www.italy-croatia.eu/metro
https://www.facebook.com/MetroEUproject/
PROJECT SUMMARY
Funding programme: 2014 – 2020 Interreg V-A Italy – Croatia CBC Programme
Duration: 01.01.2019. – 31.12.2021.
Total budget: 2.959.605,20 EUR
RiTeh budget: 215.400,00 EUR
Person responsible: Prof. Roko Dejhalla, D.Sc.
Associates: Prof. Jasna Prpić-Oršić, Ph.D.
Prof. Albert Zamarin, Ph.D.
Asst. Davor Bolf, Nav. Arch.
Darin Majnarić, mag. ing.
Lino Josip Novak, mag. ing.
Sara Volarić, B.Sc. (Econ.)
METRO project aims to improve the environmental sustainability in the field of maritime transport, with a specific focus on touristic connections in the North Adriatic area.
The project objective will be pursued both from the technological point of view through the development of hybrid solutions for Ro-Pax and double ended ferries, and from the logistic one through the definition of new routes among North Adriatic ports and the study on the adaptation of power supply infrastructures in small harbors.
The main result of METRO will be an improved quality, safety and environmental sustainability of maritime touristic transport in North Adriatic Sea, by means of a reinforcement of knowledge exchange among industrial and academic partners, and a more integrated framework for the adoption of sustainable modes of transport.
Lead partner:
- University of Trieste – Department of Engineering and Architecture (Italy)
Partners:
- Wärtsilä Italia S.p.A. (Italy)
- Port Network Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea (Italy)
- Tehnomont Shipyard Pula Ltd (Croatia)
- Istrian Development Agency – IDA Ltd (Croatia)
- University of Rijeka – Faculty of Engineering (Croatia)
- University in Rijeka – Faculty of Maritime Studies (Croatia)
ACTIVITIES
20.02.2019., Trieste
Kick-Off meeting Interreg V-A Italy Croatia project METRO
Kick-Off meeting of Interreg V-A Italy Croatia project METRO was held on February 20, 2019 in Trieste. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka professors Roko Dejhalla, D.Sc. and Albert Zamarin, Ph.D. Administrative and management aspects of the projects were presented at the meeting as well as activities to be carried out within individual work packages.
21.03.2019., Rijeka
WP3 meeting
On March 21, 2019, a meeting of collaborators within the Work Package 3 (WP3) was held at the Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka, in order to discuss the tasks and expected outputs. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka, the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Rijeka and representatives of Wärtsilä Italia S.p.A. and Tehnomont Shipyard Pula Ltd.
08.05.2019., Karlovac
Implementation Workshop “Eligibility of Costs and Reporting”
On May 5, 2019, the Implementation Workshop “Eligibility of Costs and Reporting” was held in Karlovac, at which prof. Roko Dejhalla, D.Sc. participated. The workshop covered detailed guidance on reporting in accordance with relevant EU, program and national rules and presented guidelines on cost eligibility for Croatian project partners.
10.06.2019., Trieste
Bi-annual meeting Interreg V-A Italy Croatia project METRO
Bi-annual meeting of Interreg V-A Italy Croatia project METRO was held on June 20, 2019 in Trieste. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka, professors Roko Dejhalla, D.Sc. and Albert Zamarin, Ph.D. At the meeting the guidelines and deadlines for the preparation of the first report January-June 2019 were presented. It was discussed about the activities on the project done so far and the activities related to the development of new types of hybrid vessels within the program area.
15.11.2019.
The First METRO Newsletter
15. – 16.11.2019., Rijeka
METRO project presented at VIII. International Conference on Marine Technology, in memoriam academician Zlatko Winkler
The Faculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka as organizer together with co-organizers – the Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Rijeka and the Association for Research and Development of Maritime Industries, the Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport, University of Ljubljana has organized the 8th International Conference on Marine Technology, in memoriam of the academician Zlatko Winkler. The Conference was held at the Faculty of Engineering on November 15-16, 2019. With an enhanced international scientific committee and a considerable number of papers by foreign authors, the conference had an international character. The Conference is traditionally held under the auspice of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts – The Department of Technical Sciences.
The 35 complete papers were submitted, with 95 authors and co-authors. In addition, three plenary lectures were held in the field of: Regulations for the design, construction and use of marine technology facilities, Luxury yachts and Air pollution from ships. The conference was attended by more than 100 participants, authors, co-authors, organizers, co-organizers, sponsors, professors, students, businessmen and guests. The complete papers, after the review process, are published in the special issue of the Journal of Maritime & Transportation Sciences, ISSN 0554-6397, Vol. Special edition No. 3, 2020.
The paper titled “An Analysis of Basic Parameters of Ro-Pax Ships and Double-ended Ferries as Basis for New Hybrid Ferries Designs” was presented on the Conference. The authors are L. Novak, D. Majnarić, R. Dejhalla and A. Zamarin, all from the Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka. The study was made within a framework of the METRO project. Within the study, two separate databases were formed, one for each ferry type (Ro-Pax and double-ended ferries). Data were gathered for ferries that operate in the European seas: Baltic Sea, North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea, Celtic Sea and English Channel.
Considering the quantity of gathered data, databases provide good guidelines for the selection of basic parameters of new hybrid ferry designs. This represents the first step in the process of development of new hybrid Ro-Pax and double-ended ferries within the project METRO.
03.12.2019., Rijeka
Bi-annual meeting Interreg V-A Italy Croatia project METRO
On December 3, 2019, the Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka hosted the second bi-annual meeting within the project METRO “Maritime Environment – friendly TRanspOrt systems”. The METRO project is an opportunity to improve the quality, safety and sustainability of maritime and coastal transport in the cross-border area of Italy and Croatia, particularly during the tourist season.
As representatives of the Faculty of Engineering, the meeting was attended by prof. dr. sc. Roko Dejhalla, prof. dr. sc. Albert Zamarin, prof. dr. sc. Jasna Prpić-Oršić and project associates Davor Bolf, Lino Josip Novak, Darin Majnarić and Sara Volarić.
During the meeting, the current administrative, financial and communication aspects were analyzed, and guidance for activities for the next reporting period were provided. At the same time, implemented activities and further plans within particular work packages were presented. The Faculty of Engineering also presented the results of the study “An Analysis of Basic Parameters of Ro-Pax Ships and Double-ended Ferries as Basis for New Hybrid Ferries Designs”, which was presented as a scientific-professional paper at VIII. International Conference on Marine Technology, in memoriam academician Zlatko Winkler, which was held on November 15 and 16, 2019 at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka.
The METRO project, with a total value of 22 million HRK in which the Faculty of Engineering as a partner participates with a share of approximately 1.6 million HRK, started at the beginning of 2019 and is funded under the Italy-Croatia Cross-border Cooperation Program. The leading partner of the project is the University of Trieste while the other partners in the project are the Port Authority of Trieste and Wartsila Italia S.p.A. from the Italian side and Tehnomont Shipyard Pula d.o.o., University of Rijeka – Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Rijeka – Faculty of Engineering and Istrian Development Agency – IDA d.o.o. from the Croatian side.
04.12.2019.
METRO project presented in the print and online edition of the journal Burza Nautike
27.01.2020.
METRO project presented in the online edition of the journal Engineering Review, Vol. 40, Issue 1, 2020.
27.02.2020., Pula
The round table on “Identification of Needs of Maritime Transport of Istria County and Development of Eco-Innovative Solutions”
On February 27, 2020, a round table “Identification of Needs of Maritime Transport of Istria County and Development of Eco-Innovative Solutions”, was held in Pula within the METRO project, attended by representatives of the Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka Lino Josip Novak, Darin Majnarić and Sara Volarić.
The round table, organized by the Istrian Development Agency, was attended by representatives from the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Rijeka and Tehnomont Shipyard Pula Ltd. as project partners, as well as interested representatives of tourist agencies, port authorities, the Istria County, the Croatian Chamber of Economy, the Istrian Development Tourist Agency and the company Tema Ltd. from Pula.
The METRO project was presented to the participants and various topics were discussed, including the development of port infrastructure in the County of Istria and potentially new cross-border maritime routes in the North Adriatic. It was also pointed out that the future of world shipbuilding is focused on the production of hybrid vessels with the aim of reducing energy consumption and environmental pollution.
11.05.2020.
The Second METRO Newsletter
21.09.2020., Pula
Work meeting
On September 21, 2020, a meeting within the work package 3 (WP3) was held in Pula, regarding the cooperation on Interreg 2014-2020 Italy – Croatia METRO project. The meeting was held in the premises of Flow Ship Design Ltd, as an external associate of the project partner Tehnomont Shipyard Pula Ltd.
15. – 16.10.2020.
METRO project presented at the 24th Symposium on the Theory and Practice of Shipbuilding – SORTA 2020
On October 15 and 16, 2020, the Faculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka has organized the 24th Symposium on the Theory and Practice of Shipbuilding – in memoriam prof. Leopold Sorta. This 24th Symposium (the first was held in 1974) testifies to the continuous presence of the shipbuilding profession and science in Croatia, and the goal was to promote the existing educational, scientific, research and development capacities of Croatian shipbuilding, which are ready to participate, both now and in future, in the evolution of the shipbuilding profession and everything related to it, and finally the progress of the Croatian economy.
This year’s symposium coincided with a period of change for the entire shipbuilding community in Croatia and beyond, the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented participants from meeting directly due to uncertainty regarding travel restrictions, physical distance and other epidemiological measures. In order to adapt to the current situation, the Symposium was held entirely in an “online” environment.
The paper titled “An Overview of Measures for Improving the Energy Performance of Ships” was presented at the Symposium. The authors are L. Novak, D. Majnarić and R. Dejhalla, all from the Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka. This paper provides an overview of measures that ship designers and shipbuilders have at their disposal in order to increase the energy performance of ship. The primary goal is to maximize the energy efficiency of ships, i.e. to reduce the carbon emissions to a minimum. In this regard, the paper focuses on some of these opportunities, some of which are regulated by mandatory regulations and rules while other are applied on a voluntary basis. Increasing the energy efficiency of a ship is one of the steps towards creating “greener” shipping sector. The study was accomplished within a framework of the METRO project.
21.12.2020.
METRO project presented in the Annual Report of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka 2019/2020
07.01.2021.
The Third METRO Newsletter
28.01.2021.
Bi-annual meeting Interreg V-A Italy Croatia project METRO
On January 28, 2021, University of Trieste in cooperation with Istrian Development Agency has organized the fourth bi-annual project meeting. The meeting was held online, due to the current pandemic situation. The main topic of the meeting was the management aspects of the fourth and upcoming project periods, as well as activities already implemented within the project and plans for future activities.
The University of Trieste, as the lead partner, presented the financial status of the project through all work packages and noted that the project prolongation was confirmed by the main control bodies, moving the project end to December 2021. A final approval by the Monitoring Committee is still required, but it is expected to be received very soon.
The Istrian Development Agency Ltd (IDA) presented the status of Communication Activities that were carried out in the project period July 2020 – December 2020 and further activities within this working package. Also, regarding the organization of project meetings, IDA plans to organize a round table on “Innovative Solutions in Maritime Transport”.
Wärtsilä Italia S.p.A., Tehnomont Shipyard Pula Ltd and Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka presented a state within the WP3 (Hybrid vessels study and demonstrators). Work within the WP3 is progressing well, part of the documentation has already been completed, and during February a meeting of WP3 partners will be held in order to discuss the final deliverables. Work is ongoing in regards to obtained results validation and promotional material.
Faculty of Maritime Studies in Rijeka as WP4 and WP5 leader presented the deliverables about technical infrastructures and regulatory scenario for implementing further activities.
Next project meeting will be held in Trieste in June 2021.
25.05.2021.
The METRO project presented at a press conference in Rijeka
The METRO project was presented at a press conference held on Faculty of Maritime Studies in Rijeka on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. The conference was organized both by the Faculty of Maritime Studies and the Faculty of Engineering as project partners from Rijeka.
The representatives of these institutions, prof. Aleksandar Cuculić from the Faculty of Maritime Studies, and Darin Majnarić, Ivan Sulovsky and prof. Roko Dejhalla from the Faculty of Engineering spoke about the importance of the project, its results and contributions.
Research and studies carried out at the Faculty of Maritime Studies refer to battery charging systems in ferry ports. They also refer to the review of meteorological and oceanographic features of the wider area of the Brestova-Porozina ferry route which includes both Bay of Kvarner, sea passage Vela Vrata and Rijeka Bay and the Split-Ancona ferry route which includes access waterways of the port of Split, part of the open Adriatic and approach to the port of Ancona.
The Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka is involved in the work package related to design of hybrid vessels, and its activities closely relate to the structure and hydrodynamics of the double-ended and Ro-Pax ferry.
Prof A. Cuculić pointed out that the direct positive effect of the project is the reduction of exhaust emissions during the ferry’s stay in the port, which reduces the proven harmful impact of traffic on human health and the environment. In addition to a strong environmental component, the project also has a significant economic component. Prof. A. Cuculić highlighted that certain companies within the project area can directly benefit from the introduction of existing solutions. This primarily applies to shipyards for which this is an opportunity to get involved in existing trends. As these are technologies that promote the use of renewable energy sources and environmentally friendly solutions, it is to be expected that it will be easier for technology and IT companies to obtain funds for investments in development, through EU projects and state subsidies.
Prof. R. Dejhalla added that the world turns to clean technologies, i.e. solutions which must affect the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and in all this a maritime transport cannot be an exception. This is a major challenge for both maritime transport and the shipbuilding industry.
Details on the presentation of the project can be found at the following links:
Studiraj brodogradnju u Rijeci
KanalRi, Dnevnik, 25.05.2021., (clip starts at 13:25)
HRT4, Županijska panorama: Ri-Pu-Gs, 25.05.2021., (clip starts at 00:04)
05.2021.
An overview of METRO project progress was presented in the journal Engineering Review, Vol. 41 No. 1, 2021.
17.06.2021., Rijeka
Scientific event was held within the METRO project
On June 17, 2021, the METRO project and obtained results were presented at the scientific event held in the premises of Jadrolinija. The event, organized by the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Rijeka, was also attended by the representatives of the Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka prof. dr. sc. Roko Dejhalla and prof. dr. sc. Albert Zamarin.
At the meeting, the research results within the METRO project were presented, which relate to the possibility of implementing the proposed types of hybrid vessels in the Republic of Croatia. Special focus was placed on the land infrastructure required to accommodate this type of ships. An overview of available technologies for charging battery energy storages was presented, in accordance with the existing regulations for low-voltage and medium-voltage land connections. Given the current state of the energy network on the islands, technical challenges were analyzed, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the implementation of onshore charging stations in existing ferry ports. The methodology for estimating electricity needs and the design of onshore charging stations were also presented on the example of the ports of Brestova and Porozina.
14.07.2021.
Bi-annual meeting Interreg V-A Italy Croatia project METRO
On July 14, 2021, University of Trieste has organized the fifth METRO bi-annual project meeting. Due to the current pandemic situation, the meeting was held online.
T&B e Associati Srl, as a lead partner consultant, presented a comparison of each partner’s projected and realized expenditures so far, as well as administrative and management aspects: end of the fourth reporting period, overview of the fifth reporting period and information about the project closure. A presentation was also given on progress and possible issues related to the forthcoming administrative processes.
The Istrian Development Agency Ltd (IDA) presented an update regarding the work done by project partners in regards to the communication activities. IDA has also informed project partners about interactive kiosk set up in Pula, Poreč and Rabac and a passenger counter installed in Pula. The main goal of this activity is to raise the level of customer service, informing them about transport options and the entire tourist offer, depending on the location where the screen is placed. The info points also provide data about the METRO project, while screens set up in Poreč and Rabac have a charger for electric vehicles and bicycles.
Wärtsilä Italia S.p.A. presented deliverables within the working package 3 – Hybrid vessels study and demonstrators. The deliverables 3.1. Hybrid Propulsion Unit, Energy Storage and Controls, 3.2. Hull modelling and design and 3.3. System integration and demonstrators have been completed. At the end of this reporting period Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka has finalized all the activities that were envisaged as its deliverables within this working package. The overall work on the project resulted in the appropriate deliverables, which include the reports about the databases that serve as guidelines for the design of new ferries and structural analyses reports. Furthermore, computational fluid dynamics analysis of the ferries hull forms as well as seakeeping analysis of the ferries reports, were also included.
Faculty of Maritime Studies in Rijeka presented a state within the WP4 (Technical infrastructures and regulatory scenario) and WP5 (Application to multimodal transport and routes). Some of the results have already been delivered and others will be finalized during the forthcoming reporting period.
11.2021.
Activities within the METRO project were presented in the Annual Report of the Faculty of Engineering 2020/2021
06.12.2021.
The Final Conference of the METRO Project will be held on Tuesday 14 December starting at 15:00
The conference will be held over the Zoom platform, and the registration link is zoom register
14.12.2021.
The Final Conference of the METRO Project
On Tuesday, December 14, 2021, the final conference of the METRO project was held and it was attended by about 40 interested participants from the private and public sectors from the fields of shipbuilding, tourism and maritime affairs.
More information at https://www.italy-croatia.eu/web/metro/-/metro-project-final-event
12.2021.
The Fourth METRO Newsletter