Welcome to the 1st Edition of the SEASTARS Newsletter!
We are excited to share with you the latest updates from SEASTARS – Sustainable Emission Abatement Strategies & Technologies for Advanced Revolutionary Ships, a Horizon Europe Innovation Action project that sets sail to deliver practical and scalable solutions for maritime decarbonisation.
SEASTARS Newsletter: Bi-Annually Updates
The SEASTARS bi-annual newsletters provide key updates on project progress, partner highlights, upcoming events, vessel demonstrations, and insights into the decarbonisation solutions shaping the future of sustainable shipping.
In the 1st edition, we take a look at the vibrant launch of our activities, introduce the international consortium of partners, and highlight key project milestones and engagements.
Meet the SEASTARS Consortium
SEASTARS brings together 19 partners from 8 countries, covering the full spectrum of the maritime value chain:
Key Objective & Milestones
Vision: To drive a competitive and climate-neutral European waterborne transport sector.
Mission: To demonstrate market-ready vessel decarbonisation solutions, combining retrofitting and newbuild strategies through a modular, systems engineering-based approach.
Key Objectives:
SEASTARS Kick-Off Meeting – Athens, January 2025
The SEASTARS journey officially launched in Athens, Greece on January 2025. The 2-day kick-off meeting brought all partners together to align on project vision, work package execution, stakeholder engagement and strategic project communication. The meeting set the stage for cross-partner collaboration and shared commitment to maritime sustainability.
A special thank you to all partners who contributed to the discussions and outcomes and made this kick-off event a success. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Agnieszka Zaplatka , European Commission Project Officer, for her speech and invaluable support in driving the SEASTARS project forward.
𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 IWT Projects Cooperation Platform
🤝 Collaboration in Action! We’re proud to collaborate with the IWT Projects as part of our shared commitment to accelerating sustainable innovation in inland waterway transport! 🚢🌱
Together, we’re making progress toward a cleaner, smarter, and more efficient maritime future. 💡🌍
1st General Assembly – Wageningen, May 2025
In June 2025, MARIN is proud to host all project partners at our headquarters in Wageningen for the 1st General Assembly. During the 3-day event partners set the technical requirements for aligning with decarbonisation targets. and plan effective dissemination and exploitation strategies.
💬 “The discussions were fruitful, the energy inspiring, and the atmosphere full of shared purpose. Moments like these remind us of the value of real-life connection and open dialogue,” says Yvette Klinkenberg - Koeken, a MARIN team member involved in the project.
Industry Exhibitions & Events
#1 Singapore - SEA ASIA & SMRC 2025
Between March 24-27, SEASTARS made waves at Sea Asia - Anchoring the Global Maritime Marketplace at Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) and at the Singapore Maritime Research Conference 2025.
After a successful kick-off meeting in Athens, SEASTARS hit the global stage in Singapore, engaging with shipowners, innovators, and key maritime stakeholders to discuss how we can navigate the energy transition together!
A huge thank you to all partners who represented SEASTARS , including Christos Papakis & HEMEXPO - Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers & Exporters , Maximiliano Mavica & Esmond K. from AURELIA , and Prof. Evangelos Boulougouris from the University of Strathclyde .
#2 Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Workshops
Following the kick-off in January, the consortium embarked on a journey into the principles of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) through a series of online workshops. These sessions began with imaginative exercises involving magical objects, gradually transitioning to a more structured approach using a generalized ship model.
The learning continued during the General Assembly in Wageningen, where Bart-Jan Sustronk of MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands) delivered an insightful presentation on a Capella model of a reefer vessel. By exploring the vessel’s architecture and technological components, participants were able to identify key systems and structures. This hands-on exploration sparked a dynamic and fruitful interactive session, deepening the consortium’s collective understanding of MBSE.
#3 Oslo - NorShipping 2025
Between 2nd-6th of June 2025, our consortium partners RINA, AURELIA & ERMA FIRST representing SEASTARS in #NorShipping2025 in Oslo.
AURELIA’s Chief Growth Officer, Esmond Keldon, proudly presented the SEASTARS Horizon Europe project at the RINA booth during Nor-Shipping in Oslo. A heartfelt thanks to RINA colleagues for the warm hospitality and support. 💪
Stay Connected!
🛍️ Website: www.seastars-project.eu
📧 Email: info@seastars-project.eu
📚 LinkedIn: SEASTARS Project
Thank you for joining us on this journey. Stay in the loop with our latest news, progress reports, and participate in our events!