Scorpio News
Monaco Government Sponsors Scorpio in Hydrogen Power Project
Following the launch of Project Mariner in Norway in April, Scorpio Ship Management has secured significant support from the Government of Monaco, which has agreed to co-finance the company’s participation in the European decarbonisation initiative.
As detailed in our earlier article on Mariner, the project brings together 13 partners from across Europe to develop and validate hydrogen-powered propulsion technology for commercial shipping. Coordinated by NORCE Research under the leadership of Ulf Jakob Flø Aarsnes, and supported through Horizon Europe and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, the project aims to accelerate the transition to low-emission maritime transport.
A key development for Scorpio came when representatives from Monaco’s Department of Economic Development visited the company’s Monaco headquarters to learn more about the project and the Group’s wider sustainability ambitions. During discussions with the Scorpio team, delegates Julien Dejonovic (pictured above, 2nd from right) and Alexis Stefaniutyn (pictured above, far right) were introduced to the company’s numerous initiatives supporting decarbonisation and the energy transition across the maritime sector.
The visit proved highly successful, with government representatives expressing strong interest in Scorpio’s environmental efforts and the potential impact of the Mariner Project. Mr. Dejonovic, Monaco’s Director of Economic Development, explained that Scorpio’s intention to make our vast amounts of operational data open-source, was one of their key deciding factors for sponsoring Scorpio in the Mariner project. By making this data openly available to the scientists and researchers around the world, it helps to make great strides in understanding and developing sustainable propulsion technology, which ultimately aligns with the Principality’s goals of ocean decarbonization.
The outcome was the formalisation of a co-financing partnership that enables Scorpio to participate in the project as Monaco’s associated partner. The collaboration also establishes a foundation for potential future projects aligned with the Principality’s environmental and innovation goals.
Leading Scorpio’s involvement in the Mariner project is Francesco Bellusci (pictured above 3rd from right), Head of Research and Development, who serves as the company’s principal partner working directly with NORCE and the wider consortium. He is supported by Roman Roguljic (first on left), Group Technical Lead, and Dean Mihalic (second from left), Managing Director, Technical, who provide technical and operational expertise, while Francesca Gianfranchi (3rd from left), Senior Legal Counsel, provides legal support throughout the programme.
As part of the Mariner consortium, Scorpio contributes operational knowledge and real-world vessel data that help evaluate the technical, commercial and environmental viability of hydrogen-based propulsion systems. The project’s ultimate goal is to support the development of practical, scalable technologies capable of reducing emissions from one of the world’s most difficult sectors to decarburise.
The partnership reflects Monaco’s continued commitment to supporting projects that advance carbon reduction, sustainable innovation and the Blue Economy. By backing Mariner, the Principality is helping to accelerate the development of technologies that could play an important role in the future of cleaner shipping.
Interview on Television
Adding further visibility to the initiative, Monaco Info, the Principality’s official news channel, attended the office visit to film interviews with the delegation and Francesco Bellusci, as well as capture footage of the project team. The story aired on Monaco television on 10 July, highlighting both the Mariner project and the new partnership between Scorpio and the Government of Monaco.
As the project progresses, Scorpio looks forward to continuing its collaboration with NORCE, fellow consortium partners and the Principality. We extend our sincere thanks to the Government of Monaco for its confidence, support and shared commitment to advancing maritime decarbonisation.
MARINER is supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, its members and the Government of the Principality of Monaco under grant agreement No 101251528.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Clean Hydrogen Partnership or the Government of the Principality of Monaco. Neither the European Union nor Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking nor the Government of the Principality of Monaco can be held responsible for them.
