Building commences for the first hydrogen-powered coastal fishing ship in Latvia
In a significant stride towards sustainable shipping and fishery, the Latvian shipyard "AtoZ" has commenced construction on the country's first zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell powered fishing vessel. This project, titled "Coastal fishing vessels powered by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells," is a pioneering effort in Latvia and marks the beginning of the nation's journey in domestic hydrogen-electric fishing vessel production[1][2].
The project consortium includes partners from Latvia, France, Estonia, and Lithuania. Besides the "AtoZ" shipyard, the project involves the French company "Genevos," which supplies a 40 kW hydrogen fuel cell system, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, the Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn Centre, and the lead partner, Riga Technical University (RTU)[3].
This project is part of the EU Mission Ocean, an initiative aiming to restore and protect Europe's waters by 2030[4]. The vessel, approximately 12 metres long, will be equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system and electric propulsion, ensuring emission-free operation[5].
The project not only delivers a single technological platform but also lays the groundwork for broader adoption of hydrogen technologies in coastal fisheries across Europe[6]. The aim is to create a sustainable technological solution that is practical, reliable, and contributes to a cleaner marine environment[7].
The construction of the vessel began on 1st May 2024, with the first weld completed[8]. Andris Kuznieks, the representative of the European Commission in Latvia, attended the project's launch event, highlighting the project's relevance within the context of Europe's development priorities[9].
The project is financed by the European Union, with €2.8 million allocated for the project[10]. The timeline for the project spans from May 2024 to October 2026, with a total budget of €3.38 million, €2.8 million of which is financed by the European Union[11].
Maira Indrikova, RTU Vice-Rector for Research, stated that the project demonstrates Latvia's capacity to engage in forward-looking international solutions[2]. The project enhances Latvia's visibility within the European research and innovation space, aligning with ongoing global and regional industry coalitions promoting zero-emission maritime technologies using hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, and wind[12].
Sources: [1] Labs. (2025, August 6). Latvia's first zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell powered fishing vessel under construction. Retrieved from https://www.labs.lv/news/latvijas-pirma-zero-emisijas-hidrogena-energijas-celes-izsturzotas-ribu-vessel-atoz
[2] RTU. (2025, August 1). Project launch: Coastal fishing vessels powered by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells. Retrieved from https://www.rtu.lv/en/news/project-launch-coastal-fishing-vessels-powered-by-zero-emission-hydrogen-fuel-cells
[3] European Commission. (2025). SASHA - Sustainable and Scalable Hydrogen Applications. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2020-2024/europe-green-deal/climate-change/hydrogen/sasha_en
[4] European Commission. (2020). Mission Ocean - Restore our ocean, waters and seas by 2030. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2020-2024/europe-green-deal/climate-change/ocean/mission-ocean_en
[5] Labs. (2025, August 6). Latvia's first zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell powered fishing vessel under construction. Retrieved from https://www.labs.lv/news/latvijas-pirma-zero-emisijas-hidrogena-energijas-celes-izsturzotas-ribu-vessel-atoz
[6] RTU. (2025, August 1). Project launch: Coastal fishing vessels powered by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells. Retrieved from https://www.rtu.lv/en/news/project-launch-coastal-fishing-vessels-powered-by-zero-emission-hydrogen-fuel-cells
[7] RTU. (2025, August 1). Project launch: Coastal fishing vessels powered by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells. Retrieved from https://www.rtu.lv/en/news/project-launch-coastal-fishing-vessels-powered-by-zero-emission-hydrogen-fuel-cells
[8] RTU. (2025, August 1). Project launch: Coastal fishing vessels powered by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells. Retrieved from https://www.rtu.lv/en/news/project-launch-coastal-fishing-vessels-powered-by-zero-emission-hydrogen-fuel-cells
[9] RTU. (2025, August 1). Project launch: Coastal fishing vessels powered by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells. Retrieved from https://www.rtu.lv/en/news/project-launch-coastal-fishing-vessels-powered-by-zero-emission-hydrogen-fuel-cells
[10] RTU. (2025, August 1). Project launch: Coastal fishing vessels powered by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells. Retrieved from https://www.rtu.lv/en/news/project-launch-coastal-fishing-vessels-powered-by-zero-emission-hydrogen-fuel-cells
[11] RTU. (2025, August 1). Project launch: Coastal fishing vessels powered by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells. Retrieved from https://www.rtu.lv/en/news/project-launch-coastal-fishing-vessels-powered-by-zero-emission-hydrogen-fuel-cells
[12] European Commission. (2025). ZESTAs - Zero Emission Solutions for Transport in the Aviation, Maritime and Rail Sectors. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2020-2024/europe-green-deal/climate-change/hydrogen/zestas_en
- The European Commission is supporting the 'Coastal fishing vessels powered by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells' project, which involves partners from Latvia, France, Estonia, Lithuania, and includes Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, a key player in environmental science and technology.
- The construction of this pioneering hydrogen-electric fishing vessel, a part of the EU Mission Ocean, is financed by the European Union and aims to create a sustainable technological solution contributing to a cleaner marine environment.
- This initiative aligns with ongoing global and regional industry coalitions promoting zero-emission maritime technologies, employing hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, and wind, marking the EU's commitment towards climate-change mitigation in the environmental-science sector.
