The overall goal of SAFeCRAFT is to develop, demonstrate the safety and viability and accelerate the adoption of SAFs in waterborne transport, by examining four alternative SAFs and then physically implementing an H2 GenSet onboard a Capesize Bulk Carrier, partially covering the primary fuel source. In addition to the physical demonstration, the SAFeCRAFT project simulates and assesses H2, along two additional and high-promising sustainable fuel carriers, namely LOHC and NH3 on four different types of oceangoing vessels, typical in EU ports.
These SAF enabling power train systems will be analyzed in-depth, using specific KPIs for safety, energy efficiency, environmental impact and technoeconomic feasibility. For the demo vessel, the form of CGH2 was selected to be used as the primary fuel source for a Generator Set providing power to a shaft motor (Power-Take-In) in parallel with the M/E. For the desktop studies SAFs in combination with three powertrain options are considered for each vessel, 1) fuel cell stacks & marine-type battery packs, 2) internal combustion M/E (for newbuildings), 3) ICE Genset similar to the demo, in the early stages of the project. Following a holistic assessment of the proposed SAF power train solutions against their potential in meeting the FuelEU Maritime 2040 targets, together with the overall evaluation of their energy performance, environmental impact, operating procedures, maintenance and safety aspects throughout their operating profile.
SAFeCRAFT provides validated risk and safety assessments, mitigation measures, and demonstrations to support the development of safety provisions. This will add to regulation proposals both in the EU and potentially at IMO, ISO, and other regulatory frameworks that consider SAFs in various operational conditions and fuel handling
activities. The additional assessment of environmental, social, and economic impacts of implementing SAFs, will offer valuable insights and guidance for future policy and decision-making.
An innovative digital platform is being developed and will incorporate all core simulations and models through digital interfaces, offering an engineering assessment of sustainable climate-neutral fuels in waterborne transport. To further improve the efficiency of the conceptual design phase and reduce the time and effort required, open-source tools of Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) and Multi-objective optimization (MOO) are developed and will be integrated in this platform. Ultimately, the module will help make informal decisions based on the data provided, thus contributing to promoting the use of sustainable climate-neutral fuels in waterborne transport.
SAFeCRAFT A-Z approach in utilizing SAFs, including bunkering, storage, handling and fuel consumption onboard, and the issuance of Approval in Principle for the engineering and design processes, will accelerate their implementation. Three societal objectives will be served: 1) facilitating the creation of highly skilled jobs, 2) economic growth in the EU by development of new technologies and regulatory standards for waterborne transport, 3) reduction of the environmental footprint and acceleration of the transition to SAFs.
