The European Commission presented to the public the European Green Plan at the end of 2019, which aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. For many innovative companies, this is sufficient motivation to introduce products on the market that will meet the set goals of the European Commission.
Croatia is also moving toward implementing the European Green Plan, which could soon be accompanied by an innovative and “green” transport system for the island. An initiative called “Autonomous electric ships for smart islands and cities” is being launched, and it will be signed on Monday, October 25, at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture in Zagreb. It was initiated by FER, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, the Center of Transfer Technology, the Nikola Tesla Innovation Center, and the technology company iCat d.o.o.
It is the production of high-speed electric passenger catamarans for inter-island passenger transport. 94 passengers could board the vessel, which would be 17 meters long, 7 meters wide, and sail at 30 knots.
ICat is a technologically advanced catamaran designed to be ultralight. In addition to modern technologies in hull construction and options for electric, hybrid, or highly efficient diesel drives, iCat creates economically justified, and at the same time “green” passenger lines.
The ship is intended for inter-island ferry lines according to the suburban transport model, connecting islands and cities into one.
A new initiative called “Autonomous electric ships for smart islands and cities” will develop modern ships powered by only “green” fuels with zero emissions. According to the project authors, technologically advanced propulsion is coupled with partial or complete autonomy, where passenger safety comes first, and autonomous docking is the first development step.