Nasdaq-listed Greek capesize specialist Seanergy Maritime has joined a European Union-backed project aiming to demonstrate the use of hydrogen as a fuel source to generate electricity onboard while also covering part of the ship’s propulsion needs.
Under the so-called Safecraft (Safe and Efficient Use of Sustainable Fuels in Maritime Transport Applications) initiative, the Stamatis Tsantanis-led outfit has committed one of its conventionally fueled vessels to be retrofitted with a system that will use hydrogen to fuel a generator set providing power to a shaft motor in parallel with the main engine.
The 48-month Safecraft project was founded by the European Commission in December, with a commitment of about $10m. It has an overall budget of about $13.5m also backed by 11 consortium partners including class societies, engineering and industrial firms and the academic community.
“The strategic partnership with the European Union and key industry stakeholders is another major achievement of our company towards our global ESG objectives,” remarked Tsantanis.
Seanergy said it is the first Greek-based shipowner involved in the project which aims to develop and demonstrate the safety and viability and accelerate the adoption of sustainable alternative fuels (SAFs) in waterborne transport.
It demonstrates four technologies, acting as SAF enablers for different types of oceangoing and short sea shipping vessels, both newbuilding and retrofits. SAFs used during handling, storage, and for main propulsion include liquid and compressed green H2, and two green H2 carriers, LOHCs and ammonia.
“Safecraft is advancing our proven strategy of making the current vessels more efficient and potentially reducing radically GHG emissions by utilising alternative fuels and new technologies on the existing fleet,” Tsantanis added.
