ISSNOVA – Driving Innovation in FLEXSHIP

About ISSNOVA

Fondazione ISSNOVA (Fondazione Institute for Sustainable Society and Innovation) is a research organization based in Italy that serves as a cross-cutting laboratory for interdisciplinary research and networking. In the FLEXSHIP project, the institute is responsible for validation and requirement analysis, focusing on the intersection of technical innovation and the human/social dimensions of maritime transport. ISSNOVA’s role is to ensure that the FLEXSHIP concepts developed in the project are socially acceptable, human-centered, replicable in the maritime context and supported by a workforce equipped with the necessary modern skills.

To facilitate the transition toward the electrification of vessels, ISSNOVA focuses on the following strategic areas:

• Stakeholder and Social Barrier Analysis – The institute specializes in identifying and analyzing social and stakeholder-related barriers that could negatively influence the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of naval electrification.

• Maritime Skills and Training Strategy – ISSNOVA leads subtasks dedicated to identifying current crew training gaps and defining the long-term soft and hard skills required for a green shipping value chain. This includes reviewing current training courses to prepare seafarers for handling advanced battery and hybrid systems.

• Validation and Demonstration Planning – The institute supports the creation of the Validation and Demonstration Plan (VALP), providing the framework needed to verify that the electrification solutions perform safely and efficiently in real-world scenarios.

• Integration Safeguards – A key focus is defining integration activities to prevent incorrect handling by personnel during the various implementation phases, ensuring that the physical integration of battery systems does not compromise safety.

Meet the Experts Driving FLEXSHIP Forward  

• Vittorio Sangermano (Senior Researcher): An expert Human Factors specialist focusing on systemic thinking and user-centered design to enhance efficiency and resilience in maritime systems; he currently coordinates all of ISSNOVA’s activities within the FLEXSHIP project.

• Mariana Oliveira (Senior Researcher): With over ten years of experience in project management and expertise in sustainability and environmental indicators, she acted as ISSNOVA’s principal researcher for the development of integration safeguards. In this role, she ensured that the physical integration of battery systems maintained the highest safety standards.

• Daniele Palma Esposito (Researcher): With a specialization in transport sustainability and maritime environmental management, he has been instrumental in identifying the core competencies necessary for the maritime workforce regarding the integration and operation of on-board battery systems.

How ISSNOVA is Powering FLEXSHIP’s Success 

• [Validation and Demonstration Plans] – ISSNOVA supports the design of the Validation/Demonstration Plan (VALP) and defines the integration activities necessary to prevent errors during operational phases, working in close cooperation with technical work package leaders (Task 5.1, Task 2.4).
• [Stakeholder Barrier Analysis and KPIs] – The institute is responsible for elaborating on social and stakeholder-related barriers that could negatively influence Key Performance Areas (KPAs) and related indicators (KPIs), ensuring the project considers socio-economic aspects alongside technical ones (Task 1.1).
• [Stakeholder Engagement and Skills] – It supports the assessment of stakeholder requirements and expectations, as well as the analysis of skills gaps, to facilitate the transition towards a cleaner naval ecosystem (Task 6.1).

FLEXSHIP is funded by the EU Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement no. 101095863.