ISSUE: Reducing GHG emissions in the transport sector is crucial for climate change and air quality. Water transport plays a key role for persons and goods in NWE, which concentrates 84% of European inland freight. However, almost 100 % of inland vessels are fuelled by gasoil (CCNR, 2017) which, similar to diesel, emits CO2, nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). The (H2020) PROMINENT project found that the inland waterway and maritme transport sectors have a large potential to become more environmentally friendly. Breakthrough alternatives are needed. Hydrogen (H2) propulsion approaches full market maturity and is the only option that allows total decarbonisation of waterborne transport: high efficiency, energy density and no local GHG emissions. Its uptake requires dedicated infrastructure, close to end users. With predictable routes and proximity with other industries, water transport proves particularly adapted to H2. CHANGE: H2SHIPS will demonstrate the added-value of H2 for water transport and develop a blueprint for its adoption across NWE. GHG emissions will be directly avoided: 46 tCO2, 561 kgNOx, 11 kgPM, 29 kgSO2. The partnership will lay the grounds for the emergence of a dedicated H2 value chain. OUTPUTS will include 2 demonstrations in complementary contexts to ensure replicability. Pilot 1 (NL) New built hydrogen powered port vessel in Amsterdam ; Pilot 2 (BE) H2 distribution in open sea for maritime transport. Furthermore, an action plan for the implementation of a H2SHIPS pilot on the Seine in Paris in 2022 will be worked out. LONG TERM EFFECTS: After project end, H2SHIPS will lead to 3 direct job creations per year and will have created the necessary conditions for its uptake by 2% of the fleet renewal (retrofit/new) with positive impact on cross-sector industry uptake. 10 years after project end, the direct GHG impact will be 13626 tCO2, 151 tNOx, 3.1 tPM, 7.7 tSO2 avoided per year.