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SAFE, HEALTHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SHIP RECYCLING

Project description

DEENESFRITPL

Robotics, data and AI systems for ship recycling

Ship recycling, involving the dismantling of ships, poses significant risks, with high levels of fatalities, injuries and work-related diseases despite international regulations. The sector also faces challenges related to inadequate waste management, leading to the contamination of coastal areas with toxic waste. In response to these issues, the EU-funded SHEREC project will introduce innovative robotics, data and AI systems to the ship recycling industry to set new standards for worker safety and environmental responsibility. The project envisions the use of an AI-powered drone to locate hazardous materials, while a digital twin of the ship and AI-based planning methods will automate the ship’s recycling plan. In addition, two mobile robotic systems will be introduced to robotise cutting and paint removal processes.

Objective

Ship recycling refers to the disassembly of a ship in recycling facilities, as well as the storage and processing of these materials to reuse them. The ship recycling industry enables the reuse of raw materials for industrial purposes, and thus is fully in line with the European Circular Economy Action Plan and Green Deal objectives. Yet, in addition to work-related diseases due to toxic substances, unacceptably high levels of fatalities and injuries at current shipbreaking yards makes ship recycling one of the most dangerous occupations in the world (ILO 2015).

Besides, due to the lack of proper waste management, toxic waste from shipbreaking contaminates the coastal areas and exposes the workers to hazardous substances. Although international regulations exist to reduce and prevent the adverse effects of ships on human health and the environment (IMO 2009; UNEP 2011; Regulation EU No 1257/2013), improving the safety and health of workers and stopping the detrimental impact on the environment still remain major challenges of the sector.

The main objective of SHEREC is to enable the involvement and adoption of innovative robotics, data and AI systems into the ship recycling industry to significantly improve the occupational health and safety conditions in this industry and to prevent contamination of hazardous materials both at occupational and environmental levels. Specifically, SHEREC will (1) semi-automate the preparation process in ship recycling using an AI-powered drone inspecting the interior of the ship to locate hazardous materials on the ship, (2) create an automated ship recycling plan using a digital twin of the ship and AI-based planning methods, and (3) automate the cutting and paint removal processes in ship recycling process using two innovative mobile robotic systems that can work autonomously or via tele-operation.

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Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Call for proposal

HORIZON-CL4-2023-HUMAN-01-CNECT

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Funding Scheme

HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions

Coordinator

HIDROPAR HAREKET KONTROL TEKNOLOJILERI MERKEZI SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI
Net EU contribution
€ 890 250,00
Address
GEBZE PLASTIKCILER OSB INONU MAH CUMHURIYET CAD 31
41400 KOCAELI
Türkiye

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Yes
Region
Doğu Marmara Kocaeli Kocaeli
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost
€ 1 483 750,00

Participants (15)

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Last update: 21 November 2023

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101136056

European Union, 2024