Objectives and ambition
The overall goal of SAFeCRAFT is to develop, demonstrate the safety and viability and accelerate the adoption of SAFs in waterborne transport
SAFeCRAFT Challenge
Europe’s waterborne transport is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for approximately 13% of overall transport emissions. Thus, meeting ambitious climate targets is imperative and requires accelerating the transition to sustainable, climate-neutral fuels in this sector. However, the adoption of sustainable alternative fuels (SAFs) is often slow due to concerns around safety, global availability, technological maturity, and economic viability. SAFeCRAFT seeks to address these challenges by leveraging the ZEWT Partnership’s existing network of stakeholders and infrastructure to develop, validate, and demonstrate SAFs on board oceangoing vessels.
With the central participation of SEANERGY, a leading NASDAQ listed shipping company, and a multi-disciplinary experienced consortium led by HYDRUS, SAFeCRAFT will proceed to implement SAFs in full transnational operations on a 180,000 DWT Capesize Bulk Carrier. This includes fuel distribution, bunkering, storage, handling and supply, power conversion, and possible residue handling, with a minimum power output of 1.5MW. Use of H2 (stored in gaseous or liquid form) will be physically demonstrated onboard in actual operating conditions.
SAFeCRAFT is an ambitious 48-month project that focuses on maritime transport applications, aiming to be a lighthouse project in the forefront of retrofit and new designs of seagoing vessels ensuring the safety and viability of SAFs.
SAFeCRAFT will proceed to implement SAFs in full transnational operations on a 180,000 DWT Capesize Bulk Carrier
In addition, SAFeCRAFT demonstrates alternative SAFs technologies in application scenarios in four different types of oceangoing and short sea shipping vessels in newbuilding and retrofit cases. These scenarios will be assessed and validated through detailed desktop simulation studies. The investigated technologies include direct handling, storage, and use of H2, for main propulsion purposes, in either liquid (LH2) or gaseous (CGH2) form as well as use of two hydrogen carriers, namely Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) and ammonia (NH3).
SAFeCRAFT addresses significant safety and operating challenges, going beyond the state-of-the-art while achieving FuelEU Maritime 2040 targets.
General objectives of SAFeCRAFT project
1
Fuel System Implementation
and Assessment
2
Retrofit Solutions and Compliance
3
Safety and Environmental Compliance
4
Policy and Regulation Development
5
Digital Platform and Monitoring and Operational Tools Development
6
Training and Awareness
7
Business Cases, International Collaboration and Synergies
Methodology
SAFeCRAFT advance beyond the state of the art & innovation potential
SAFs such as LH2, CGH2, NH3 and LOHC will have a significant social and economic impact in the future, considerably reducing GHG emissions and helping humanity transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future. The pursuit of increased SAF uptake also aligns with the EU commitment to ensure long-term energy security for its member states through diversification of its energy mix and reduction of dependence on traditional fossil fuels. SAFeCRAFT addresses the aforementioned SAFs focusing on the safety and operating challenges, with the goal of going beyond the state-of-the-art, while achieving FuelEU Maritime 2040 targets. Current technologies on fuel storage with different fuel carriers face challenges due to relatively low TRL, safety and acceptance issues. In all the cases significant infrastructure works are still required to achieve the required quantities from renewable energy sources and avoid production from fossil fuels.
For example, NH3 is stored in liquid form at -33°C, is highly toxic with significant concerns for safety during storage and handling, with a high energy demand for production and high-purity ammonia requirements for use in fuel cells. The goal is to deploy NH3 as direct fuel, with safety being a priority and cost-effective methods are required for production and conversion into H2.
In addition, storage of CGH2 is also a high concern due to the very high pressures for efficient storage (up to 700 bar). CGH2 has an energy density lower than other marine fuels, is highly flammable with safety concerns during storage and handling and realistically applied only to smaller vessels, with a deployment as direct fuel.
On the contrary, LH2 achieves high energy density but requires very demanding storage conditions at – 253°C with next generation cryogenic technology to be further developed and significant material gaps compared to LNG. For LH2, large storage capacities are developed based on C-type tanks technology while AiP stage was recently achieved for membrane type storage technologies. It has higher energy density than compressed H2, and requires special safety precautions during bunkering, storage and handling (due to the cryogenic form), with an envisaged deployment as direct fuel.
LOHC technology is an emerging fuel carrier, which is based on hydrogenation of organic compounds that requires significant energy, allowing the safe and efficient storage and transportation of hydrogen.
LOHC is stored as liquid in ambient conditions with similar characteristics as conventional fossil fuels, higher energy density using standard (existing) safety procedures. Although very promising further research is required to optimize the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the technology, to deploy it as realistic fuel carrier.
SAFeCRAFT goes beyond the state-of-the-art, as it evaluates and compares the selected SAFs for different consumers and types of vessels, while building on the experience of previous projects, specifically:
Bunkering and handling of NH3 developed for a fuel storage tank of NH3 in NH3CRAFT project.
Bunkering and handling of LH2 as fuel carrier developed for a large storage tank of LH2 in LH2CRAFT project.
Fuel generation, transportation, and handling of CGH2 developed by the partner MOTOROIL SA.
Environmental impact, hazard and technology assessment of LOHC developed by the partner TUD.
Our methodological approach has a high innovation potential as it is:
More reliable: the risk assessment model that will be developed and the evaluation approach, as well as the resulting software are new, informative, and comprehensive.
More efficient: the outcome also includes a guideline to marine industry about the safe transportation of H2 and contains many functions to determine and estimate the performances of the solutions (both demonstrator and desktop studies) in the aspect of environmental protection, cost and risk levels.
Safer: safety and regulatory compliance are part of the paradigm of open innovation and the outcome of this project is a pre-requisite for introducing technologies for sustainable H2 transportation for longer periods on board, not yet tested and available on the market but in much smaller sizes.
Faster: the scalable characteristics of the proposed solutions will allow engineers to speed up design studies on all four fuel and fuel carriers LH2, CGH2, LOHC and NH3 regarding their containment, storage and utilization.
Modular and Versatile: The project outcomes will cater to a wide range of vessel types and sizes, facilitating the adoption of SAFs in the marine sector.
Cost Effective: The scalable design and risk assessment model will enable accurate cost estimations and investment planning for ship owners and operators.
Physical demonstrator application and virtual demonstrators’ assessment
SAFeCRAFT Main Technology Demonstrator
Capesize bulk carrier
Overall Length: 291.97 m
Breadth (moulded): 45.00 m
Draught (moulded): 18.22 m
Deadweight (max draught): 180,000 tns
Cargo holds capacity (grain): 200,166 m3
Main Engine Power: 18,660 kW
Service Speed: 14 knots
Impacts
SAFeCRAFT aims to create and demonstrate innovative solutions for integrating climate-neutral, sustainable alternative fuels (SAFs) in waterborne transport, tackling urgent sustainable transport and energy challenges. The project leverages interdisciplinary collaboration with stakeholders like industry partners, regulatory agencies, and researchers, spurring innovation in fuel technologies, safety standards, and emissions monitoring and control.
By addressing key market barriers such as high initial costs, limited infrastructure, and regulatory challenges, SAFeCRAFT seeks to accelerate sustainable transport solution commercialization and support global climate change mitigation efforts.
- Scientifically, the project furthers knowledge and technical abilities, establishing itself as a sustainable transport solutions leader.
- Economically, it creates opportunities by encouraging new markets and business models targeting sustainable transport solution demand.
- Societally, SAFeCRAFT addresses vital social and environmental issues like climate change, air pollution, and public health through promoting SAF adoption in waterborne transport.
Overview of SAFeCRAFT program with main idea,
resources and impact (over four years).
SAFECRAFT ECONOMIC & TECHNOLOGICAL OUTCOMES
The SAFeCRAFT project is poised to generate a multitude of economic, technological, and other outcomes, significantly impacting the partners and the maritime sector:
Economic Outcomes
• Lower fuel costs and increased energy efficiency through SAF adoption and energy management systems.
• Enhanced industry competitiveness and advanced technologies, ensuring environmental regulation compliance.
• New economic opportunities in SAF development, production, and distribution, catalyzing growth
Technological Outcomes
• Advancements in SAF production, storage, and distribution technologies for shipping sector integration.
• Increased innovation in fuel cell systems, power electronics, and propulsion technologies.
• Improved SAF technology safety and reliability through rigorous assessments, simulations, and testing.
• Enhanced decision-making tools with comprehensive digital platforms and simulation models.
Other Outcomes
• Stakeholder engagement and collaboration for inclusive, participatory sustainable transport and energy.
• Widespread adoption of innovative technologies through dissemination, training, and resources.
• Contribution to sustainable, resilient shipping industry, support for low-carbon, circular, inclusive economy.
• Influence on policy and regulatory frameworks, enhanced public perception, and knowledge sharing
• Holistic impact assessment, long-term roadmap development, and cross-sectoral collaboration for technology
transfer and decarbonization
Structure of the work plan
The proposed methodology provides a structured and systematic approach to achieve the SAFeCRAFT project’s objectives. The project management (WP1) will oversee the overall project and ensure the coordination and progress of each WP. The demonstration implementation plan (WP2) will guide the practical implementation of the project and ensure that it meets the project objectives.
The analysis and comparison of alternative systems (WP3) together with WP2 will provide date to the engineering design process for the retrofitted bulk carrier and the desktop studies vessels (WP4) and to the development of the smart digitalization process for monitoring and operations (WP5).
The manufacturing, assembly, and full-scale on- board operational demonstration (WP6) will involve the practical implementation of the engineering design process, while the risk and safety assessment and environmental impacts (WP7) will ensure that the project meets safety and environmental standards. The technical and economic assessment of KPIs and LCA (WP8) will assess the feasibility and sustainability of the proposed solutions and inform decision-making. Finally, dissemination, exploitation, and communication (WP9) will ensure that the project results are widely disseminated and exploited by relevant stakeholders.
Work-structure
Impact
WP1: Project
Management
(HYD)
WP9: Dissemination,
Exploitation and
Communication
(WEG)
Design &
Engineering
WP2: Demonstration
Implementation Plan
(RINA)
WP3: Analysis &
Comparison of
Alternative Systems
for Desktop Studies
(NTUA)
WP4: Engineering
Design for
Demonstrator &
Desktop Studies (HYD)
Digitalization &
Demonstration
WP5: Smart
Digitalisation Systems
Process for Monitoring
and Operations (UPAT)
WP6: Demonstration
Installation and Testing
(HYD)
Sustainability
& Scalability
WP7: Safety Evaluation
on Risk-based Designs
and Demonstration
(UoS)
WP8: Technical and
Economic Assessment
of KPIs and LCA
(NTUA)
