GTT AWARDED FUNDING TO DESIGN ON-BOARD CCS SYSTEM

A project to install an assymetric wingsail alongside a new onboard carbon capture and storage system on a container vessel powered by synthetic fuel has been awarded funding from a French public investment bank, Bpifrance

8 A new project plans to combine CWS’s wingsail system with a GTTdesigned onboard CCS system with the aim of reducing carbon emissions from a container vessel operating on an alternative fuel by up to 50%

The project aims to achieve carbon dioxide emission reductions of up to 30% of the alternative fuel being considered (LNG, methanol, synthetic-LNG and biogas), with the aim of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by at least 50% compared with conventional container vessels.

As part of the award, GTT has been granted EUR4.66 million towards the costs of designing an onboard CCS system. The award will also contribute to the development of intelligent operational performance solutions by GTT.

The project intends to design build and operate a first commercial container vessel with with hybrid wind-assisted and synthetic fuel propulsion. The consortium includes CWS’s wingsail system as well as shipowner Zéphyr & Borée, and the Centrale Nantes University with its research teams specialized in energy optimisation.

In addition to contributing to directly contributing to the design of a CCS system on board, GTT’s subsidiary OSE Engineering will design intelligent operational performance solutions.

Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and CEO of GTT, said:

“This design of a commercial container ship with hybrid wind-assisted propulsion and synthetic fuel is the forerunner of a new generation of carbon-free merchant ships thanks to a highly innovative ship design, a hybrid propulsion and an on-board carbon capture system adapted to the alternative fuels currently being considered by the shipping industry.

We are proud to bring the know-how and experience of the GTT group to the development of a low environmental impact container ship. Our digital intelligence subsidiary, OSE Engineering, will also play an essential role in this project, enabling the operational optimisation of the ship’s various propulsion systems.”

UK H2-fuelled engine trial project

Carisbrooke Shipping, the UK shipowner, is participating in a demonstration project to develop an innovative zero-emission hydrogen-fuelled auxiliary engine. The project has been awarded £2.3 million as part of the UK government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC3).

The project includes a UK engine design start-up, Carnot, as well as Brunel University and the Manufacturing Technology Centre. The project partners will work closely with Bureau Veritas, the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and other interested parties throughout the process to deliver the project safely and within the regulatory framework. The UK government has awarded a grant of £2.3 million to a project to develop and install a pure hydrogenfuelled 50kW demonstrator unit of Carnot’s engine design aboard the Kimberley C in early 2025.

Carisbrooke Shipping expects the project to result in the installation of a containerised 50kW engine on the deck of the Kimberly C, a 6,805 dwt general cargo vessel for a 40-day sea trial in early 2025, when it is expected to partially supply electrical power to the vessel.

Carnot notes that its engine design replaces up to one-third of the engine’s components with advanced technical ceramic components. By eliminating the requirement for engine cooling systems, the start-up claims its design can achieve higher engine thermal efficiencies of up to 70%, compared with traditional engines. The engine holds out the possibility of lowering fuel consumption by 45%, compared with conventional engines.

The funding comes from the third round of the UK government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC3), which focuses on developing a range of clean maritime technologies including hydrogen, ammonia, electric and wind power.