GUTTA PROJECT
GUTTA PROJECT - RESULTS
Is it possible to improve and enhance maritime transport and, at the same time, contribute to reduce emissions in the field of mobility? The pathway towards a more sustainable ferry transportation can now benefit from a new and effective routing tool. This is thanks to the GUTTA project – savinG fUel and emissions from mariTime Transport in the Adriatic region, funded by the Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme, and coordinated by the CMCC Foundation. The major outcomes of the project were presented today during a workshop open to the public.
LECCE, 4 May 2022 – The project GUTTA – savinG fUel and emissions from mariTime Transport in the Adriatic region, funded by the Interreg V-A Italy-Croatia Programme presented its results today during the public workshop “Journey of a droplet to the ocean of decarbonisation”. The GUTTA project aims at reducing the carbon footprint of ferry routes between Italy and Croatia, by means of an automated route optimization tool, to enhance cross-border connectivity, and assess the role of COVID-19 on ferry transportation. During the workshop, the project illustrated GUTTA-VISIR, the decision support system devised for computing least-CO2 ferry routes in the Adriatic Sea.
The event involved several experts coming from different European countries in order to present the state of the art of maritime decarbonisation from multiple viewpoints: the regulatory institutions, the research and academia, the industry, and an environmental NGO. A special focus on the impact of COVID-19 on the maritime sector was made, and how it may have affected its pathway towards its decarbonisation. Indeed, the workshop provided insights on how the measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic impacted maritime transport, presenting several scientific studies and research. As a case study, the workshop presented the results of a study exploring the possible role of ferries in triggering the second wave of COVID-19 in Croatia, showing that this was not the case.
The project
GUTTA is a cross-border cooperation project, including in its consortium actors from academia, the industry, and the public sector from both Italy and Croatia. The project aims at improving and enhancing maritime transport and, at the same time, contributing at reducing emissions from this sector. More in detail, GUTTA project aims at reducing the carbon footprint of ferry routes between Italy and Croatia, by means of route optimization tools, to enhance cross-border connectivity, and assess the role of COVID-19 on ferry transportation.
GUTTA-VISIR is a decision support tool devised for computing least-CO2 ferry routes, depending on forecast meteo-oceanographic conditions in the Adriatic Sea. It represents the key outcome of GUTTA project and embodies its aims to make ship route optimization an easy-to-access service, for the benefit of both navigation and climate. The tool is based on three main components: the environmental forecasts of waves and sea-surface currents provided by the Copernicus Marine Service; the VISIR ship routing model; and a web application for browsing and exploring its results, both graphs and numerical data.
Operational runs of VISIR are performed at the CMCC Supercomputing Center in Lecce, Italy. Every day, the GUTTA-VISIR web service makes available more than seven thousand fresh routes in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, freely available and downloadable from the web.
The seakeeping and CO2 emissions of a ferry were estimated through data collected from a ship simulator installed at the University of Zadar (Croatia), a partner of the GUTTA project. The CO2 and Carbon Intensity Indicator savings obtained through VISIR are computed for routes between various ports, departure times, and ship’s engine loads.
A user-friendly interface enables users browsing least-CO2 routes and can support the decision-making process, before and during navigation: this is the main tool provided by the project to contribute to the decarbonization of the maritime sector.
Coordinated by the CMCC Foundation, Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC), GUTTA includes among its partners Mare Nostrum – Croatian Shipowners’ Association, the University of Zadar, the Croatian Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, and the Port System Authority of the Southern Adriatic Sea.
For further information, visit the official web-pages of the GUTTA project on the CMCC website and on the Interreg Italy-Croatia website.
Key-Data – the GUTTA project in numbers
- Funded by Interreg V-A Italy-Croatia Programme 2014-2020
- ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) quota of 1,020,000 EUR
- Duration: 42 months, from January 2019 to June 2022
- Budget: 1,200,000 EUR
- 5 Partners: CMCC Foundation – Euro-Mediterrannean Center on Climate Change (CMCC, Lead Partner), Mare Nostrum – Croatian Shipowners’ Association, University of Zadar, Croatian Ministry of Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure, Port System Authority of the Southern Adriatic Sea.
Main outcomes of the GUTTA project
1. The GUTTA-VISIR operational system for computing least-CO2 ferry routes in the Adriatic and Northern Ionian seas, based on meteo-oceanographic forecasting products of the Copernicus Marine service
- Watch the final video of the project and explore all the functionalities of GUTTA-VISIR: https://youtu.be/JyEhrcsK19A
- The WebApp GUTTA-VISIR: https://www.gutta-visir.eu/
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The paper:
Towards Least-CO2 Ferry Routes in the Adriatic Sea
Mannarini G., Carelli L., Orović J., Martinkus C.P., Coppini G.
2021, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 9 (2), DOI: 10.3390/jmse9020115
2.The assessment of COVID-19 impacts on ferry transport in the whole Europe.
Data from the THETIS service by EMSA, the European Maritime Safety Agency, were used.
For further information, read the paper:
How COVID-19 Affected GHG Emissions of Ferries in Europe
Mannarini G., Salinas M.L., Carelli L., Fassò A.
2022, Sustainability, 14(9), 5287, DOI: 10.3390/su14095287
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The workshop
Maritime transportation represents the backbone of the global supply chain and has a significant environmental impact on both the oceans and the climate: shipping, being responsible of about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, significantly contributes to climate change and its detrimental consequences for the functioning of the ecosystems, the human wellbeing, and the stability of societies. For the past few years, the sector has undertaken a path to reduce its carbon footprint, driven by preliminary regulatory steps and followed by some industry actions.
However, the challenges for a sustainable energy transition of the maritime sector remain high: technology readiness, scalable availability of zero carbon fuels, port infrastructures and logistics, and business models still need to progress much, at a time of rising market demand, shortage of commodities, geopolitical risks, and global concern for new pandemic waves and health crises.
The workshop addressed some important topics related to the maritime sector and relevant for the economy and politics, such as the newest European legislative proposals about energy and emissions (e.g. fitfor55), or the technological innovation and strategies for a transition to zero-carbon alternative fuels, highlighting remaining gaps, challenges to address, opportunities and perspectives. The COVID-19 pandemic as a macroeconomic shock, its impact on the global supply chain, and lessons learned from an analysis of what happened, was another key topic addressed during the workshop.
The workshop is endorsed by IOC-UNESCO in the framework of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and by the European Commission as an event of the initiative “European Maritime Day in my Country” (#EMDin My Country).
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Project is co-financed by the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs.
The views expressed in this publication are the sole responsibility of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs.
News and events
55th session of the Financial Commission
On the occasion of holding the Financial Commission of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum, the members, president and director of the Association met at a regular meeting on May 16, 2024 in Zagreb.
All current topics in the field of shipping financing were discussed, of which in particular:
- the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the OECD and the impact of the OECD Global Anti-Base Erosion Model Rules (Pillar II) and Directive (EU) 2022/2523 on the national tonnage tax system
- the work of the EU Council on the Proposal of the new Energy Taxation Directive and its possible impact on the price of fuel
- the double taxation problem in Argentina and India and
- methods of shipping financing.
Europe Day
As Europe Day is celebrated on May 9, on this day we are proud that Mare Nostrum, as part of the European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA), works on strengthening its cooperation with other EU member states through involvement in EU maritime policies.
125th Session of the HUB Mare Nostrum Assembly: Expectations for Shipping Sector in the Coming Period
The 125th session of the Assembly of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum was held in the premises of Jadrolinija, Rijeka on 3 May 2024.
Alongside with the Association's members and its Directorate, Ms Antonia Bebić, maritime attaché from the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union also participated in the session's work presenting us ongoing legislative work and all of the maritime related topics that are currently being discussed within the EU institutions as well as under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
11th Career Day of the Maritime Faculty in Rijeka
Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum participated with its member at the 11th Career Day of the Maritime Faculty in Rijeka.
75th anniversary of the Maritime Faculty in Rijeka
We congratulate the Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Rijeka for 75 years of activity, which has rightly placed it at the very top of the higher education institutions that educate personnel in the maritime field in the Republic of Croatia.
As potential future employers of students of this Faculty, members of Mare Nostrum closely monitor the progress and development of all study programs at the Faculty.
DG CLIMA and EMSA organized a webinar on the topic of EU ETS
On March 18, 2024, the director of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum, together with other representatives of our Association, participated in a webinar organized by the Directorate General of the European Commission for Climate Policy (DG CLIMA) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).
Meeting of the Board of Directors of the European Community Shipowners' Association
On March 5 and 6, 2024, a meeting of the Board of Directors of the European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA) was held, attended by Mrs. Ivona Anić Miklec, director of HUB Mare Nostrum and Mr. Marko Domijan, president of the HUB Mare Nostrum Assembly.
Together with colleagues from 21 national associations of shipowners from EU member states and Norway, they discussed all current topics in the field of shipping as well as proposals for new EU legislative acts that are currently being discussed under the auspices of the EU Council and the European Parliament.
22nd Meeting of the Supervisory Board of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum
Under the newly elected leadership of the Supervisory Board - Mr. Nikola Koščica from Tankerska plovidba d.d. and with the members of the Supervisory Board, Mr. Robert Banko from Alpha Adriatic d.d. and Mr. Vicenco Jerković from Atlantska plovidba d.d. as well as with the presence of Mr. Roman Balta, a long-time associate of the Accounting Association Biro Balta d.o.o. and the leadership of the Association, on February 29, 2024, the 22nd session of the Supervisory Board of HUB Mare Nostrum was held in the Association's premises.
124th Session of the Assembly of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum
The goal of the session was, after reviewing the work of the Association in the previous period, to adopt the Work Plan and Financial Plan for the work of the Association in 2024, as well as to discuss all current topics related to shipping and the work of the Association in general.
Workshop of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development for Shipping Companies
On February 8, 2024, representatives of the members of our Association as well as the Director of the Association, Mrs. Ivona Anić Miklec, participated in another in a series of useful workshops organized by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development on the topic of introducing maritime transport into the greenhouse gas emissions trading system within the Union (EU ETS) as well as the obligations of monitoring and reporting on emissions from maritime traffic that are forthcoming based on Regulation (EU) 2023/957.
Appointment of Ivona Anić Miklec as the director of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum
On January 1, 2024, Mrs. Ivona Anić Miklec took over the position of director of the Croatian Association of Shipowners Mare Nostrum. Under the leadership of the director, the association will continue to be a responsible social partner in collective negotiations with unions and will promote the interests of Croatian shipowners before all competent bodies of state administration and local and regional self-government, as well as before competent bodies at the international and EU level. In the coming period, the association will strongly support its members in the digital and green transition of their business on the way to sustainable shipping. The association will work on strengthening its identity and cooperation with related associations, as well as strengthening the position of Mare Nostrum under cover of its European family - the European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA).
EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) seminar
The Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum organized an educational seminar on the subject of EU ETS on December 19, 2023, where the keynote address was given by Mr. Dino Kučić, specialist in fuel procurement and sustainable development - EMS/EnMS manager at Croatia Airlines.
123rd session of the Assembly of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum
The 123rd session of the Assembly was held on Monday, December 11, 2023, in the premises of the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure in Zagreb. The session was attended by six members of the Association, and the guest of the session was Cap. Siniša Orlić.
120th Session of the Assembly of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum
On Thursday, September 28, 2023, the 120th session of the Assembly was held in the premises of Tankerska Plovidba in Zadar. The session was attended by nine members of the Association, and the guest of the session was a representative of the Agency for Coastal Line Maritime Transport.
European Shipping Summit 2023
Europan Shipping Summit was held in Brussels on 19-20 September 2023. Strategic importance of shipping and seafarers for the EU economy and security was emphasized as it transports more than 72% of the EU's external trade and secures the supply of essential goods such as food, energy, pharmaceuticals and raw materials. European shipping represents almost 40% of the global fleet. Important aspects of the green transition in shipping were discussed, such as low and zero carbon shipping, clean fuels, innovative technologies, vessel designs, as well as how adequate ship finance is key for implementation of sustainbility and achieving green transition and climate objectives.
Signed Collective Agreement for seafarers on ships that carry out transportation in liner coastal shipping
On June 29, 2023, in the morning hours in Rijeka, on the premises of Jadrolinija, the Collective Agreement was signed for seafarers on ships that carry out transportation in coastal shipping.
The Vice President of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butković, President of the Jadrolinija Board David Sopta, representatives of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum, representatives of trade union partners and other esteemed guests were present at the ceremonial signing of the Agreement.
The signatories of the agreement are the Croatian Shipowners Association Mare Nostrum, the Croatian Seamen's Union and the Independent Croatian Passenger Ship Seamen's Union.
118th Session of the Assembly of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum
On Thursday, May 18, 2023, the 118th session of the Assembly of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum was held at the premises of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce in Pula.
Meeting about the Supervision of Croatian ships in foreign ports by port state inspectors
The meeting about the Supervision of Croatian ships in foreign ports by port state inspectors was held on April 4, 2023.
Croatian Shipowners’ Association Mare Nostrum is a full member of the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA)
From 1 January 2023, Croatian Shipowners’ Association Mare Nostrum is a full member of the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA).
Towards a more sustainable maritime transport: research and innovation for route optimization in Puglia and in Croatia
Is it possible to improve and enhance maritime transport and, at the same time, contribute to reduce emissions in the field of mobility? The pathway towards a more sustainable ferry transportation can now benefit from a new and effective routing tool. This is thanks to the GUTTA project.
