GAMMA

Challenge

Today, long-distance maritime transport supports 80-90 percent of all global trade, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a target for the sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to near net-zero by 2050.

A significant part of the maritime sector’s challenge lies in the fossil fuels powering large vessels. Transitioning ocean-going transport to green fuels holds substantial potential for climate benefits. The five-year GAMMA project is working on technological solutions that can contribute to this transformation.

Solution

Partners in the GAMMA innovation project are retrofitting a bulk carrier with innovative technologies aimed at reducing the vessel's carbon footprint. The demonstration will prove that it is possible to replace auxiliary generators with a new fuel system operating on e-fuels.

The project plan involves installing a new fuel system on the ship. Ammonia and green methanol will be bunkered on board and then converted into hydrogen using cracking and reforming technologies. The hydrogen will be purified and subsequently transformed into electricity via a fuel cell, which will power the vessel, replacing fossil-fueled auxiliary generators.

The partners are also addressing the fact that part of the energy required for hydrogen production will come from renewable sources—in this case, solar panels installed on the ship's hatch covers.

Following the proof of concept in GAMMA, the next step will be to prepare the main engines of a vessel for a complete energy transition.

Overall, the partnership expects that the GAMMA vessel could become a green gamechanger for the maritime sector.

4otion.

Learn more: www.green-gamma.eu