Demonstration of Technologies to minimise underwater noise generated by waterborne transport (ZEWT Partnership)
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
Whilst on-going research seeks to characterize the underwater radiated noise (URN) which poses the greatest threat to aquatic species and the marine environment as well as characterizing potentially promising solutions to reduce the impacts of URN, the demonstration of technologies to minimize the harmful impacts from waterborne transport URN remains less developed. An important challenge is to predict URN at the design stage to be able to implement less noisy environmentally friendly solutions from an early stage. This challenge is faced both at equipment design level and at the ship integration stage. Consequences of the noise reduction solutions for GHG emissions should be considered.
Current approaches to the regulation of URN focus on controlled criteria (fixed speed, no waves etc.), whilst ships operate at various speeds, loads and sea states which further complicate the challenge of designing a quiet ship suitable for a wide range of conditions. A further challenge is to be able to operate a noise measurement system on-board which can provide instantaneous information to the crew on the ship’s operational radiated noise.
Detailed Call Description
A further challenge is to be able to operate a noise measurement system on-board which can provide instantaneous information to the crew on the ship’s operational radiated noise. Noting that an informed balance may also need to be taken between GHG emissions and URN.
In order to address the above-mentioned challenge, proposals are expected to address all the following aspects:
- Development of methods and models to predict under water radiated noise levels in the design phase.
- Conduct modelling and field studies to improve the effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of noise mitigation devices, mitigation measures and management options in different sea states and in different ship loads. The identified solutions should be tested and demonstrated through large scale demonstrators that may, when appropriate, and feasible, also include the monitoring of the response of key susceptible species.
- Projects should develop systems for on-board measurement of noise, and decision support systems to reduce radiated noise whilst maintaining energy efficiency in normal operation.
- The projects are expected to propose synergies and clustering with related projects and activities addressing underwater noise, including from non-transport sources.
- In addition, the project should address communication towards the European ship owners and operators to raise awareness, inform about the environmental impact and on the technical possibilities to reduce their noise and its impact on the underwater environment.
- Engage with regulators to raise awareness on noise from waterborne transport depending on operational status, weather conditions, loading conditions, water conditions (depth, type of bottom, temperature salinity etc.) the frequency and type of noise and its impact on the environment for the purpose of considering them in future potential regulations.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
70%
Expected EU contribution per project: €6.00 million
Thematic Categories
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Shipping - Marine Transports
- Transport
Eligibility for Participation
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
Eligibility For Participation Notes
If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Research and Innovation Foundation
29a Andrea Michalakopoulou, 1075 Nicosia,
P.B. 23422, 1683 Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22205000
Fax: +357 22205001
Email: support@research.org.cy
Website: https://www.research.org.cy/en/
Contact Persons:
Mr Christakis Theocharous
Scientific Officer A’
Telephone: +357 22 205 029
Email: ctheocharous@research.org.cy
Mr George Christou
Scientific Officer
Telephone: +357 22 205 030
Email: gchristou@research.org.cy