Preliminary Risk Evaluation and Safety Integration of Sustainable Alternative Fuels in Maritime Transport
The SAFeCRAFT project is dedicated to advancing the safety and adoption of Sustainable Alternative Fuels (SAFs) in maritime transport. By integrating, validating, and demonstrating SAFs on board oceangoing vessels, the project seeks to address critical challenges regarding their safety, technological maturity, and economic viability.
Task 7.2, led by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) will identify and evaluate potential hazards that may arise from the storage, handling, transport, and usage of SAFs on ships, thus providing feedback to the design procedures in this early stage of the project.
Task 7.2 is structured into several key parts: In the first part, a HAZID study, a workshop-based risk analysis technique, is employed to ensure that the design process incorporates safeguards to mitigate identified risks. The findings from the HAZID study will be integrated into the conceptual and basic designs of the project, providing essential feedback to design procedures.
Then, the physical and chemical properties and potential risks associated with SAFs will be studied. This is followed by the development of the safety specifications for both ship retrofits and new designs, ensuring safe and viable integration of SAFs in seagoing vessels.
Next, vessel operations using SAFs will be evaluated, considering aspects such as fuel tanks, fuel networks, and fuel performance, as well as the necessary infrastructure for bunkering in ports. Safety requirements for ship repair, maintenance, and dismantling operations will also be studied.
SAFeCRAFT’s Task 7.2 provides a thorough preliminary risk evaluation that guides the safe integration of SAFs into maritime applications, preventing accidents and ensuring safe operation both onboard the ship and at port facilities.
Through thorough risk assessment and the establishment of safety protocols, the task contributes significantly to advancing the project’s mission of facilitating the adoption of SAFs in maritime transport.
