INTERFERRY AB

Their core work

Interferry AB is a Swedish private company based in Helsingborg — one of the busiest ferry corridors in Europe, connecting Sweden and Denmark — bringing active ferry industry experience into EU research projects. They participate in Innovation Actions as an industry partner, contributing operational knowledge of short-sea and Ro-ro shipping to consortia developing next-generation ferry technologies. Their two H2020 projects address the twin challenges facing modern ferry operators: decarbonizing propulsion through hydrogen fuel systems, and improving fire safety standards in roll-on/roll-off vessel environments. In research consortia, they function as an end-user validator — the actual ferry industry voice that grounds laboratory and engineering work in real-world operational constraints.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Interferry entered H2020 in 2018 through HySeas III with a clear focus on proving hydrogen as a viable propulsion fuel for commercial sea-going ferries — a technology push agenda tied to decarbonisation. One year later, LASH FIRE shows a pivot toward regulatory and safety compliance, specifically fire hazards in Ro-ro environments, which is a more operationally immediate concern for a ferry company. With only two projects and overlapping timelines, it is difficult to call this a firm strategic shift, but the direction moves from future clean technology toward current operational safety — suggesting Interferry is broadening its research engagement from aspirational innovation toward near-term regulatory preparedness.

Interferry appears to be positioning itself across both decarbonisation and safety compliance tracks, making them a useful partner for any consortium needing a credible ferry operator voice on either hydrogen adoption or maritime safety regulation.

How they like to work

Interferry has participated in both projects exclusively as a consortium partner, never as coordinator, indicating they contribute specific industry expertise rather than research or project management leadership. Both projects were large Innovation Actions with dozens of partners — 36 unique partners across 14 countries from just two projects — which is typical when a ferry operator joins as an end-user or industry validator alongside technology developers, shipyards, and research institutes. This suggests they are straightforward to bring into a consortium: they add operational credibility and real-world test conditions without competing for the project lead role.

Through only two projects, Interferry has connected with 36 unique partners across 14 countries — a notably broad network for such a small participation footprint, reflecting the large international consortia typical of EU maritime Innovation Actions. Their network likely spans Nordic maritime nations, shipbuilding countries, and EU regulatory bodies, consistent with projects addressing European-wide ferry routes and safety legislation.

What sets them apart

Interferry's location in Helsingborg — one of the world's highest-traffic ferry corridors — gives them direct relevance as an operational testbed and industry reference for research involving European short-sea shipping. Very few private ferry companies engage in H2020 Innovation Actions, which makes Interferry an unusual and valuable partner for technology developers who need industry validation from an actual operator rather than a research proxy. Their dual footprint across hydrogen propulsion and fire safety regulation covers two of the most active legislative and commercial pressure points currently facing European ferry fleets.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HySeas III
  Targeted the world's first sea-going hydrogen-powered RoPax ferry — a landmark clean shipping milestone — with Interferry contributing the ferry industry perspective on feasibility and business model.
• LASH FIRE
  Addressed legislative and safety gaps for fire hazards in Ro-ro ships, a commercially urgent topic given the high-profile fires on European ferry routes in recent years, and Interferry's largest single EC award at EUR 121,580.