Online-February 27th 2026
On February 27th, FLEETfor55 reached a significant project milestone with the official kickoff of its External Advisory Board (EAB). This launch marks a concrete step forward in establishing a strong, industry-driven governance structure that will accompany the project throughout its lifetime.
The EAB brings together experts from a wide range of organisations and backgrounds across the maritime sector, including regulatory bodies, shipping companies, academic institutions, research councils, and independent technical advisors. Their collective expertise spans ship design and energy efficiency, maritime safety, waterways administration, applied R&D, and standardisation — ensuring that FLEETfor55 benefits from a comprehensive and authoritative external perspective on the challenges it seeks to address.
With its membership now in place, the EAB will take on an active and multifaceted role within the project. Its core responsibilities include monitoring project progress, assessing the quality of outputs, and collaborating with the Technologies Innovation Network (TIN) to validate emerging technologies and use cases. Board members will also contribute to stakeholder engagement activities, clustering initiatives, and workshops, helping to broaden the project’s reach and strengthen its connection to the wider maritime community. In addition, the EAB will work to foster synergies with other Horizon Europe projects, supporting knowledge exchange and maximising the exploitation potential of FLEETfor55 results.
The board will engage with the FLEETfor55 team through a combination of regular virtual meetings and annual in-person gatherings, ensuring continuous and dynamic interaction throughout the project’s lifecycle.
The successful launch of the EAB reflects FLEETfor55’s commitment to transparency, quality, and meaningful industry engagement. With a diverse membership and a clearly defined mandate, the board is well positioned to help the project navigate the complexities of maritime decarbonisation and deliver lasting impact for the sector.
