The Government of Monaco has formalised a co-financing arrangement with Scorpio Ship Management to support the company’s participation in Project Mariner, a European research initiative focused on developing modular hydrogen fuel cell systems for maritime use.

The agreement follows a visit by representatives from Monaco’s Department of Economic Development to Scorpio’s Monaco headquarters, during which delegates Julien Dejanovic and Alexis Stefaniutyn were briefed on the Mariner project and the company’s broader decarbonisation activities. The visit resulted in the formalisation of a partnership that designates Scorpio as Monaco’s associated partner within the Mariner consortium.

Project Mariner, which was launched in Norway in April, brings together 13 partners from across Europe with the aim of developing and validating hydrogen-powered propulsion technology for commercial shipping. The initiative is coordinated by NORCE Research under the leadership of Ulf Jakob Flø Aarsnes and receives funding through Horizon Europe and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.

Scorpio’s participation in the consortium is led by Francesco Bellusci, Head of Research and Development, who serves as the company’s principal partner working directly with NORCE and the wider project group. He is supported by Roman Roguljic, Group Technical Lead, and Dean Mihalic, Managing Director, Technical, along with Francesca Gianfranchi, Senior Legal Counsel.

Scorpio noted that it contributes operational knowledge and real-world vessel data to the consortium to help evaluate the technical, commercial and environmental viability of hydrogen-based propulsion systems.

The co-financing arrangement also establishes a basis for potential future collaboration between Scorpio and Monaco aligned with the Principality’s environmental and innovation objectives.