DecarBOATS – Decarbonisation of Small Boats in the South Adriatic Sea
Project Code: SA-0300456
Call: Call for Standard Project Proposals Interreg IPA South Adriatic 2021-2027
Programme priority: PA 2 – A greener South Adriatic programme area, by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate adaptation and risk management
Specific objective: S.O.2.3: Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Financed by: Interreg IPA South Adriatic 2021-2027
Period: July 2025 – December 2027
Budget (Total): € 1.139.077,78; Interreg Contribution: € 937.107,11
Budget (Dhitech): € 292.135,00; Interreg Contribution: € 233.708,00; FdR Contribution: € 58.427,00
The DecarBOATS project addresses the common challenge of decarbonizing maritime transport in the South Adriatic Sea, where heavy reliance on fossil fuels and the lack of standardized infrastructure continue to hinder sustainability. The initiative focuses on green technologies for small boats — a crucial yet often overlooked segment of the maritime sector — placing particular emphasis on electrification as a key solution for reducing emissions and combating climate change. While the decarbonization of large vessels has already begun, the transition of smaller workboats is essential to achieving a comprehensive shift toward sustainable maritime mobility in the South Adriatic area. To this end, DecarBOATS will develop and implement electric propulsion systems, renewable energy–based charging stations, and advanced energy management tools. These solutions will be tested in three real operational scenarios:
i) Marine waste collection – An electric boat will operate between the port of Termoli and the Tremiti Islands to support waste collection at sea.
ii) Mobile water analysis laboratory – In Orikum, a traditional sailboat will be converted into a fully energy self-sufficient vessel, serving as a mobile laboratory for water quality monitoring.
iii) Pollution monitoring – In Tivat, an electric boat will be deployed in the Bay of Kotor (Montenegro) to collect environmental data and monitor marine pollution.
In addition to technological implementation, the project will deliver training programs and technical manuals to support knowledge transfer and capacity building. Public authorities, maritime operators, SMEs, and research institutions will benefit from access to sustainable technologies and innovative operational practices. Given the shared maritime borders between Italy, Albania, and Montenegro, a cross-border approach is essential to harmonize standards, infrastructure, and technologies. Regional cooperation will ensure the seamless deployment of electric boats and renewable energy solutions, strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange across the South Adriatic. DecarBOATS stands out for its dedicated focus on small boats and for integrating renewable energy sources into maritime mobility, setting a new benchmark for sustainable and low-emission navigation in the region.
PARTNERS:
- DHITECH DISTRETTO TECNOLOGICO HIGH-TECH (Capofila) (IT);
- ITS Academy – Istituto Tecnologico Superiore Academy Mobilità Ge. In. Logistic (IT);
- FLAG “MOLISE COSTIERO” (IT);
- UoM – University of Montenegro (ME);
- UAMD – Aleksandër Moisiu University Durrës (AL);
- Municipality of Tivat (ME)