The digital twin of future-proof Kamsarmax and Meraviglia vessels has been built based on real operational data of the Kamsarmax bulker and Meraviglia cruise ship, targeting the optimisation of ship performance with regards to emissions through digital design means. In July 2023, the event Pyxis Ocean Sets Sail got impressive consideration of various stakeholders and public. For the cruisers, the route optimization has been successfully developed. As for the hydrogen engine prototype construction, the engine hardware components have been made available.
The waste heat recovery system converting low-temperature heat into electricity in order to create a bespoke WHR-system for the future vessel design has been optimized, updated and tested. Ultrasound antifouling prototypes with different hardware-software-combinations and transducers have been manufactured and transducer protecting covers have been designed and prepared for installation on both vessels. The ultrasound antifouling test patches have been created by first removing the antifouling paint from the hull and replacing them with hard paint (with no antifouling properties). Half of the six test patches have been positioned towards the vessel bow, whilst the remaining three at the stern. Finally, ultrasound transducers have been attached inside the protecting covers. Final design of the air lubrication system (ALS) to be installed on both vessels has taken place, including the full description of the system, the specification of key system components and the Shipyard Installation specification.
A report on new business models for GHG reductions has been conducted along with a report reviewing the methodology for benchmarking GHG emissions for operating a bulk carrier and a cruise vessel and proposing feasible ways to present actual fuel consumption and GHG emissions to vessels crews in comparison to peer vessels as a way of benchmarking. A student competition on future sustainable shipping technologies was organised in summer leading to a competition report detailing the winners and their proposals.
The framework conditions were regulatory landscape, port infrastructure, cost of alternative fuels, shipping’s business models and emission estimation methods to empower crew onboard. Each condition brought learnings and highlighted some challenges along the way.
By using CHEK's technologies (working in synergy), the vessels could reduce around 50% of energy consumption, in comparison with EEDI Phase II corresponding vessels. The other emissions such as NOX, SOX and black carbon are also significantly reduced by energy-saving technologies and alternative fuels.
We organized successfully many activities, for example nine workshops with various stakeholders, four free e-lessons, three international seminar, student competition, etc. The consortium has successfully published one scientific paper, four-six papers are under preparation, and many other types of publication (reports, deliverables, conference papers).
