European GAMMA Project: Transforming Ocean Transport For Environmental Sustainability

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  •  The European GAMMA project endeavors to enhance the eco-friendliness of ocean transport and trade.
  • The project involves a diverse array of partners collaborating to retrofit the bulk carrier.
  • Part of the energy required for the hydrogen conversion process.

The €17 million European GAMMA project endeavors to enhance the eco-friendliness of ocean transport and trade by collaborating with European companies and researchers. The primary goal is to develop and convert a bulk carrier to operate on climate-neutral fuels and green power, thereby reducing its environmental impact, reports Safety For Sea.

Bulk Carrier Details

The bulk carrier under consideration, belonging to the TOPIC Fleet and serving as a case study in the GAMMA project, is capable of transporting 60,000 tonnes of dead-weight cargo across the world’s oceans. Traditionally, ocean freight transport heavily relies on fossil fuels, prompting the need for innovative solutions.

Initiation and Partnerships

Commencing in January 2024, the GAMMA innovation project involves a diverse array of partners collaborating to retrofit the bulk carrier with highly innovative technologies. The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of replacing auxiliary generators with a new fuel system that operates on e-fuels.

Innovative Fuel System

The retrofitting includes the installation of an advanced fuel system. Ammonia and green methanol will be bunkered onto the ship and subsequently converted into hydrogen using cracker and reformer technologies. The purified hydrogen will then power a fuel cell, replacing the need for auxiliary generators running on fossil fuels.

Renewable Energy Integration

Going beyond the basic retrofit, the project incorporates renewable energy sources. Part of the energy required for the hydrogen conversion process will be supplied by PV panels installed on the hatch covers of the bulk carrier. This emphasizes a holistic approach to environmental sustainability.

Key Contributors

Conversion Technology: Fraunhofer Institute is responsible for providing the necessary conversion technology.

Purification and Fuel Cell: Amnis Pura contributes expertise in purifying the fuel, and Ballard Power Systems Europe provides the fuel cell.

Renewable Energy Source: Italian company Solbian supplies PV panels for harnessing solar energy.

Leadership

Kjartan Due Nielsen, the Innovation Manager at Icelandic engineering company Verkís, is at the helm of leading the GAMMA project, steering the collaborative efforts towards a more sustainable future in ocean transport.

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Source: Safety4sea

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