Integrated and innovative maritime technologies for mobility and fisheries

The Marshall Islands are a small low-lying atoll nation in the Pacific Ocean. Its very existence depends on ambitious global emission reduction to limit sea level rise. Despite this, it heavily relies on costly imported fossil fuels for its vital sea transport and fishing sector. The country works towards developing a zero-emission fleet as part of ongoing initiatives, but a successful paradigm shift throughout society is still pending. The project merges emission-free boat design and construction, indigenous knowledge and modern maritime training for small-scale transport and fisheries. This breaks social and gender barriers, combining efforts in society and the private sector. Integrating innovative technologies into formal education fosters societal sustainability and resilience. The project sends out a strong signal for the decarbonisation and autonomy of domestic sea transport, applicable to many Pacific Island States.

Project data

Countries
Marshall Islands
IKI funding
798,019.34 €
Duration
02/2025 till 07/2027
Status
open
Implementing organisation
Emden University - Leer
Implementing Partner
  • College of the Marshall Islands (CMI)
  • Waan Aelõñ in Majel (WAM)
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State of implementation/results

  • Two pre-colonial Marshallese sailing crafts, which are the only known traditional examples preserved worldwide, survived in museum collections in Germany. A collaboration with the two German museums was initialized to enable access for study, documentation, and conservation, and shall develop into a permanent partnership in the further course of the project. It is the first time such craft are analyzed with state-of-the-art naval architecture methods to rediscover and refine canoe design.
  • In June 2025, Alson Kelen, the director of Waan Aelõñ in Majel (WAM), canoes of the Marshall Islands, joined for workshops in Germany and visited the department of maritime sciences of Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences in Leer.

Latest Update:
12/2025

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