Circle Group

Regulatory Filings • Jan 14, 2025

PRESS RELEASE

Magellan Circle in FLEETfor55 consortium to Decarbonize Waterborne Transport. Awarded a non-repayable grant worth 322,425 euro.

Milan, January 14, 2025

CIRCLE S.p.A. ("CIRCLE" or the "Company") - an Innovative SME listed on the Euronext Growth Milan market, heading the Group specialized in the process analysis and the development of solutions for the digitalization of the port and intermodal logistics sectors, as well as in the international consultancy on Green Deal and energy transition topics – announces that Magellan Circle is part of the consortium of 21 partners and is proud of the launch of FLEETfor55, a groundbreaking project aimed at aligning the European waterborne transport sector with the EU's "Fit for 55" environmental targets for 2030.

The project FLEETfor55 will develop a comprehensive roadmap to implement energy efficiency technologies on short sea, inland waterway, and high seas vessels. The project will evaluate both retrofits of existing vessels and new vessel designs optimized for energy efficiency and environmental compliance.

Among the key components of the project there are the development of a web-based decision support system, to rapidly assess and benchmark different technology options, and the establishment of a Technologies Innovation Network to match new efficiency technologies with end users in the maritime industry. In the same way, the evaluation of 10 use cases, in particular six retrofit scenarios and four new vessel designs, and the creation of detailed business models to ensure market adoption of new technologies are included.

Magellan Circle is excited to contribute with its expertise in Communication and Dissemination, receiving a non-repayable funding of € 322,425.

Alexio Picco, Board Member of Circle Group and President of Magellan Circle, commented: "FLEETfor55 represents a major step forward in decarbonising European waterborne transport. By bringing together leading maritime technology providers, shipowners, and research institutions, which altogether will develop immediate and effective practical market-ready solutions to reduce emissions from shipping. We are very proud to be part of the project, which is fully aligned with the strategic plan "Connect 4 Agile Growth", and will help the industry meet ambitious environmental targets while maintaining competitiveness".

who together will develop immediate and effective practical market-ready solutions to reduce maritime transport emissions. We are very proud to be part of this project, which is fully in line with

the 'Connect 4 Agile Growth' strategic plan and will help the industry achieve ambitious environmental goals while maintaining competitiveness'.

The 42-month project is being coordinated by Hydrus and has received funding from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) under the Horizon Europe program.

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Founded in Genoa in 2012, Circle S.p.A. is the Innovative SME at the head of the CIRCLE Group, the Group specialising in the analysis and development of products for the innovation and digitalisation of the port and intermodal logistics sectors and in the international consultancy on topics concerning the Green Deal and energy transition.

In addition to Circle, the Group includes the software houses Info.era, NEXT Freight (formerly 'Adele Project') and Cargo Start, acquired at the end of 2017, July 2019 and December 2022 respectively, the consulting companies Magellan Circle and Magellan Circle Italy, NEXT Customs, as well as the subsidiary ACCUDIRE.

The synergies between the individual components of the CIRCLE Group have made it possible to expand the portfolio of solutions offered in the areas of IoT, Optimisation, Digital Twin, Big Data and Process Automation, and to strengthen the software products: Milos® - a suite aimed at all players in intermodal logistics such as inland terminals, port terminals, ports, MTOs and maritime agencies -, the Extended Port Community System, the Master SPED® and Milos® Global Supply Chain Visibility solutions, dedicated respectively to freight forwarding and logistics and to trade and industry, as well as Star Tracking®, an airport-to-airport tracking solution.

To complete the offer in the Supply Chain area, the so-called 'Federative Services' are able to make the migration of customers towards a digital business model more efficient and offered in cloud mode.

Through Magellan Circle (with offices in Porto and Brussels) and Magellan Circle Italy, Circle operates in the field of advocacy at European Institutions, supporting Public Bodies and Companies by identifying their positioning at a European level (Strategic Communication and Advocacy) and funding opportunities (Eu Funding Accelerator), with a vertical focus on Green Deal and energy transition issues.

The acquisition of the 51% of shares of Cargo Start in December 2022, a company specialising in the development and sale of innovative technological products and services for air cargo, allowed Circle to strengthen its offering in a rapidly expanding segment that is strategic to the Connect 4 Agile Growth industrial path.

Circle owns 92% of eXyond, formerly Log@Sea business network, active in offering advanced Gate Automation solutions aimed at port and intermodal nodes. On December 27th, 2024, eXyond acquired the business unit owned by Telepass Innova S.p.A. (a subsidiary of Telepass S.p.A.). The Business Unit includes the Infomobility Business Unit (resulting from the merger by incorporation of the company InfoBlu S.p.A. into Telepass Innova) active in advanced traffic monitoring and management services on the Italian road and motorway network, and the Telematics Business Unit (resulting from the merger by incorporation of the company KMaster S.r.l. into Telepass Innova) active in the provision of telematics services, based on proprietary technology platforms, to companies operating in the logistics, transport and insurance sectors.

Circle subscribed to a capital increase equal to 21% of the share capital of ACCUDIRE, an Innovative Startup from Veneto that provides a Collaborative Digital Platform capable of helping players along global Supply Chains in the exchange of information and in the management of document flows accompanying goods shipments, starting first and foremost with the e-CMR (or electronic waybill, part of an international standard and transposition law just approved by the Italian Parliament).

Finally, in February 2024 Circle established NEXT Customs, dedicated to digital customs optimisation services and functional to the continuation of initiatives aimed at the harmonisation of customs processes, a highly strategic area for the evolution of the Connect 4 Agile Growth path.

Circle S.p.A. has been listed on the Euronext Growth Milan market of Borsa Italiana since October 26, 2018 (alphanumeric code: CIRC; ISIN code ordinary shares: IT. 0005344996).

For further information Circle S.p.A. Registered office Via Giovanni Battista Pergolesi 26, 20124 Milano Operational headquarters Piazza Borgo Pila 40 (Torre A interno 46), 16129 Genova Investor Relations Mail: ir@circletouch.eu | Mobile: +39 348 3067877

Media Relations: Image Building Via Privata Maria Teresa, 11 20123 – Milano Email: circle@imagebuilding.it | Phone: +39 02 89011300

Euronext Growth Advisor: Integrae SIM S.p.A. Piazza Castello 24, 20121 Milano Email: info@integraesim.it | Phone: 02.80.50.61.60