Award for Maritime Innovation 2026
With the F. Laeisz Award for Maritime Innovation, we together with the University of Hamburg recognise scientific and practice-oriented projects, initiatives and start-ups that contribute to the transformation of the maritime industry.
The award focuses on ventures at early development or pilot stages that offer ecological value, ideally complemented by social impact. As a joint initiative of academia and the maritime industry, the award combines scientific excellence with practical applicability and fosters dialogue between research, business and society.
Further details on the F. Laeisz Award (among others our objectives, evaluation criteria and participation requirements) can be found here(opens in new tab).
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology Wins First Prize
The three awards, with a total prize fund of EUR 20,000, were presented on 30 June at the Laeiszhof during the Offenes Kontor, an award ceremony and networking event held as part of Hamburg Sustainability Week. The first prize (EUR 10,000) went to Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon in Geesthacht for the development of a hydrogen fuel cell that passively draws oxygen directly from seawater. The jury noted that the technology enables more energy-efficient marine research, as autonomous underwater vehicles can operate significantly longer without accompanying ship deployments.
Further information on the other 2026 award winners is available in the press release(opens in new tab).
We look forward to the next round: stay tuned for the F. Laeisz Award for Maritime Innovation 2027.