Portugal is pushing forward with its plan to cut emissions from shipping through the Green Shipping Programme. Engineering firm TecnoVeritas has emerged as a key partner, deploying new technologies across the fleet to meet tough EU climate rules.
Portugal is ramping up efforts to decarbonise its merchant fleet, with the government’s Green Shipping Programme driving investments in cleaner fuels and onboard technologies. The initiative, known as TC-C10-i07, provides up to 80% funding for projects that can show at least a 10% reduction in fuel consumption per gross ton-mile.
TecnoVeritas, based in Mafra, was chosen by 10 of the 11 vessels approved in the first call of the programme. The firm’s solutions are expected to cut more than 77,500 tonnes of CO₂ each year, while also reducing nitrogen oxides by 36%, sulphur oxides by 27%, and particulate matter by 23%, among others.
“[We] are fully aligned with the requirements of both FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS, helping shipowners navigating the regulatory shift while maximising fleet performance,” said TecnoVeritas’s official announcement.
The company is deploying a mix of systems on vessels to achieve these gains. Its BioHFO system processes biofuels with traditional marine fuels, allowing ships to run on 100% biofuel while cutting greenhouse gases and reducing costs tied to the EU Emissions Trading System and FuelEU Maritime rules. Its Blue Energy Efficiency Monitoring platform tracks energy use and emissions in real time. Propulsion efficiency is improved through Optipower, which monitors shaft power and thrust, while Variable Frequency Drives optimise motor energy consumption and extend equipment lifespan.
The push comes as European regulators tighten the net on decarbonising the maritime transportation industry. The FuelEU Maritime regulation, part of the EU’s Fit for 55 package, sets limits on greenhouse gas intensity on a well-to-wake basis and enforces penalties for excessive emissions of NOx, SOx and particulate matter.
TecnoVeritas says its integrated technologies give shipowners a practical way to meet these requirements. The company is also an official verifier under both MRV and FuelEU Maritime schemes, adding credibility to its role in guiding compliance.
Operating worldwide, TecnoVeritas has positioned itself as a trusted partner for decarbonisation. In Portugal, the results so far point to the impact of a state-backed programme combined with private sector expertise.
