eBlue_economy_Boris Cosic Director Center of technology transfer llc
ZEVinnovation project aims to establish a sustainable and efficient network for the development of innovative technologies7
Project is implemented by multi-sectoral partners from Croatia, Norway and Poland: Center of Technology Transfer LLC (Croatia), Baltic Sea and Space Cluster (Poland), Inovacije i razvoj LLC (Croatia), ÅKP AS (Norway) and Vinco Innovation AS (Norway).
Center of Technology Transfer LLC (CTT) is founded in 1996 by the University of Zagreb
Interview by : Marek Grzybowski
The global maritime industry’s market has undergone disruptive changes over the past ten years, which especially impacted the European shipbuilding industry. The shipbuilding crisis requires the design of innovative solutions and the development of new technologies .This was confirmed by Boris Cusick in his interview with eBlue Economy, conducted by Marek Grzybowski
And for strengthening transnational cooperation, knowledge and technology transfer in development of electric vessels
Boris Cosic, dipl. Ing., Director Center of technology transfer llc
is this interview
Marek Grzybowski: ZEVinnovation Project title is: Strengthening transnational cooperation, knowledge and technology transfer in development of electric vessels and fostering innovation in SMEs. ? Can you please provide your most important project goals? .
Boris Cosic: The global maritime industry’s market has undergone disruptive changes over the past ten years, which especially impacted the European shipbuilding industry. The shipbuilding crisis requires the design of innovative solutions and the development of new technologies. Furthermore, in recognition of the need to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, increased development and integration of innovative zero-emission vessels and related technologies are required. The ZEVinnovation project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Regional Cooperation.
The project’s mission is to bring together professional stakeholders interested in innovative zero-emission technologies and provide lasting and tailor-made solutions that will eventually increase innovation ability across the EEA. The ZEVinnovation project aims to establish a sustainable and efficient network for the development of innovative technologies that will bring together active stakeholders.
TheZEVinnovation network’s ambition is to contribute to the strengthening of the transnational eco-system through the implementation of pilot programs focusing on the collaborative development and market uptake of zero-emission vessels while connecting the capacities of the EEA countries that have a strong maritime tradition and current pioneering initiatives.
Marek Grzybowski: Who are the main partners of the project? Which companies support them?
Boris Cosic: Transnational partners of the ZEVinnovation project are devoted to supporting enterprises across the EEA through networking and helping them achieve their growth ambitions through a diverse range of project activities.
More specifically, the project is implemented by multi-sectoral partners from Croatia, Norway and Poland: Center of Technology Transfer LLC (Croatia), Baltic Sea and Space Cluster (Poland), Inovacije i razvoj LLC (Croatia), ÅKP AS (Norway) and Vinco Innovation AS (Norway). Regardless of the differences in size and population, partner’s countries face common environmental challenges concerning resource limitations and vulnerability to climate changes.
The transnational partnership should open up a wider market and help members of the ZEVinnovation HUB to enter the international supply chain system .
through the implementation of pilot programs focusing on the collaborative development and market uptake of zero-emission vessels while connecting the capacities of the EEA countries that have a strong maritime tradition and current pioneering initiatives.
Marek Grzybowski: Who are the main partners of the project? Which companies support them?
Boris Cosic: Transnational partners of the ZEVinnovation project are devoted to supporting enterprises across the EEA through networking and helping them achieve their growth ambitions through a diverse range of project activities.
More specifically, the project is implemented by multi-sectoral partners from Croatia, Norway and Poland: Center of Technology Transfer LLC (Croatia), Baltic Sea and Space Cluster (Poland), Inovacije i razvoj LLC (Croatia), ÅKP AS (Norway) and Vinco Innovation AS (Norway).
Regardless of the differences in size and population, partner’s countries face common environmental challenges concerning resource limitations and vulnerability to climate changes. The transnational partnership should open up a wider market and help members of the ZEVinnovation HUB to enter the international supply chain.
system through the implementation of pilot programs focusing on the collaborative development and market uptake of zero-emission vessels while connecting the capacities of the EEA countries that have a strong maritime tradition and current pioneering initiatives.
Marek Grzybowski: Center of Technology Transfer llc. is the project leader. Please let me know about the Center activity?
Boris Cosic: Center of Technology Transfer LLC (CTT) is founded in 1996 by the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture. The mission of CTT is to connect science and industry and eventually raise the competitiveness of the Croatian industry while strengthening the role of the Faculty during this process. Professors, scientists and experts from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture are using various laboratories and modern equipment, and they are actively working on innovations and EU projects.
Therefore, the interconnection between science and industry, where a Faculty is structured as a research organisation (RO), should eventually improve innovative companies’ competitiveness and increase innovations in Croatia and across the EEA. CTT has experience with the transfer of knowledge into the industry, and the company is actively working on various EU projects to improve the innovation eco-system. CTT offers professional, technical and educational assistance to create a favourable environment for innovation and technology transfer
Marek Grzybowski: What are the main areas of activity in the ZEVinnovation Project?
Boris Cosic: The ZEVinnovation project activities address different areas, such as transnational action towards maritime sustainability, integration of innovative zero-emission technologies in maritime transport, scaling up and supporting sustainable projects and businesses, increasing theknow-how across the EEA, building up public awareness and enabling stakeholders with access to the EEA market through networking opportunities.
ZEVinnovation will provide to members individual business support, innovation and management training and match-making services. The project activities shall eventually enhance cooperation and improve mutual knowledge and understanding between the donor and beneficiary states. Moreover, it shall increase the innovation potential, competitiveness and business development for enterprises located in the beneficiary countries, but in the expertise countries as well.
Marek Grzybowski: An important part of the ZEVinnovation Project was the identification of needs for zero emission vesels. Which groups of needs and markets have been reported by the projects partners?
Boris Cosic: Decarbonisation goals connected to maritime transport are attempting to accelerate the development and integration of innovative zero-emission technologies. The project strives to support stakeholders and provide them with lasting and tailor-made innovation processes, which will increase innovation ability in the maritime sector. In other words, the ZEVinnovation project’s mission is to assist innovators, SMEs, ROs and other target groups to take successful and efficient steps into managing innovation processes and support the transition of maritime transport towards zero-emission vessels.
Marek Grzybowski: A marketing plan has already been established. Which groups are the main product of the ZEVinnovation Project addressed to?
Boris Cosic: The ZEVinnovation project directly supports innovators, SMEs, ROs, clusters and other organisations by promoting innovation, research, education and competitiveness of the maritime industry across the EEA. During the ZEVinnovation project, stakeholders will have the opportunity to become members of the ZEVinnovation HUB and have access to the innovation platform, which should be used as a gateway to the EEA market and ensure the visibility of the members’ products, solutions or services within Hub’s network.
Marek Grzybowski: There were plenary sessions within the project. What topics were presented?
Boris Cosic: The ZEVinnovation project organised plenary sessions and covered various topics related to zero-emission vessels, such as financing, intellectual property rights (IPR), explored innovative technologies in maritime transport etc. All plenary sessions discussed the panellist’s respective region or country interest in zero-emission vessels and provided insights into different technologies and strategies. Our plenary sessions were a success, and they built up interest in the project. Each plenary session is available on our “ZEVinnovation” youtube channel and website: www.zevinnovation.eu.
Marek Grzybowski: Preparations for the launch of the ZEVinnovation HUB are underway. What are the expectations of such an innovative organisation?
Boris Cosic: The ZEVinnovation HUB will be organised as an association of professionals working together in the field of zero-emission vessels. During the project lifetime, the HUB will be structured as a non-profit member’s organisation committed to providing support to SMEs, experts, innovators, ROs, larger enterprises etc.
Furthermore, the HUB will be structured as an active platform committed to providing various services, such as marketing/advertising services, match-making opportunities, organisation of international networking events, consulting services during innovation development and development of business uptake programs. Therefore, the HUB’s focus is to organise workshops with transnational experts and eventually support selected members with high innovation idea potential through one-on-one mentorship.
Marek Grzybowski: The project is implemented by partners from Poland, Croatia and Norway. What is your opinion on cooperation and cooperation prospects?
Boris Cosic: Transnational partners are of great importance for the project, and they are a group of experienced professionals. We are working together to improve the connection between countries in the EEA, and we already established a connection between some of the organisations from Norway, Poland and Croatia. The transnational partnership ensures efficient networking with stakeholders across the EEA, and such cooperation will help to develop a better and more effective innovation eco-system.
