AIMPERES

AIMPERES is developing an AI-driven Energy Management System that helps ships sail more efficiently and reduce emissions. The system combines real-time sensor data, digital ship models, artificial intelligence, low-cost emissions measurements and a user-friendly dashboard for the crew.

The focus is on existing ships. A large proportion of the current fleet will remain in service for many years to come, whilst sustainability regulations are becoming increasingly stringent. AIMPERES is therefore investigating how existing ships can be operated more intelligently, more economically and with lower emissions in the short term, without the immediate need for large-scale or radical refits.

The shipping industry faces a major challenge in becoming more sustainable. New fuels, hybrid propulsion systems and electric systems are essential for the future, but they are not always immediately available or economically viable for the existing fleet. At the same time, actual fuel consumption also depends on how a ship is operated.

Sailing speed, engine speed, manoeuvres, load, weather conditions, currents, route selection and the use of auxiliary systems all influence energy consumption and emissions. AIMPERES brings this information together in a single decision-support system. The crew retains control, but receives clear feedback on energy-efficient sailing and emissions reduction.

As part of the AIMPERES project, Antwerp Maritime Academy is investigating how emissions on board can be measured in an affordable and reliable manner. AMA is developing and validating low-cost measurement systems for exhaust gas monitoring, focusing on gases such as CO₂, NOₓ, SOₓ, CH₄ and NH₃.

To this end, two types of measurement set-ups are being investigated. The first system uses compact sensors, such as electrochemical sensors and NDIR sensors. A second, more advanced system utilises UV-DOAS technology to measure multiple pollutants simultaneously.

A key area of focus is the calibration of these measurement systems. Low-cost sensors are susceptible to drift, temperature, humidity and cross-sensitivities. AMA is therefore developing methods to ensure these sensors remain reliable even in maritime conditions.

In addition, AMA is contributing to the EcoScore. This score translates complex emissions and efficiency data into understandable information for crew, operators and other stakeholders. The aim is not only to measure emissions, but also to convert measurement data into useful feedback for day-to-day operations on board.

AIMPERES is working on:

• low-cost prototypes for continuous exhaust gas monitoring;
• calibration methods for sensors in maritime conditions;
• datasets on vessel usage, energy consumption and emissions;
• digital vessel models and AI methods for energy optimisation;
• a modular Energy Management System;
• a dashboard that helps the crew sail more efficiently;
• an EcoScore that makes emissions and energy performance easy to understand;
• demonstrations on various types of vessels, including inland waterway, coastal and seagoing vessels.

AIMPERES is being carried out by a European consortium of ten partners from six countries. The consortium brings together expertise in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital ship models, energy management, emissions measurements, ship design, maritime training and practical on-board experience.

The partners are:

• Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. / Fraunhofer IEM — Germany, coordinator
• Antwerp Maritime Academy — Belgium
• University of Antwerp — Belgium
• NAVTOR AS — Norway
• Maritime CleanTech — Norway
• École Centrale de Nantes — France
• STC-Group Foundation — Netherlands
• NESTRA BV — Netherlands
• Navalprogetti SRL — Italy
• Transtal Shipping BV — Netherlands

Duration: 01/06/2026 - 31/05/2029

More information about the project, the partners and the progress of AIMPERES is available on the official project website: aimperes.eu