Greek-based owner Seanergy Maritime Holdings has joined a European Union-Funded project aiming to demonstrate the use of hydrogen as the main energy source for electric power generation.
Under the so-called Safecraft, an initiative concerning the utilization of alternative fuels, the Stamatis Tsantanis-led company will provide one of its existing, conventionally fueled capesize vessels as the demonstrating vessel under Safecraft, which will be retrofitted to utilize hydrogen (H2) as the main energy source for electric power generation.
This system is also expected to cover a portion of the vessel’s propulsion requirements and reduce reliance on conventional fuels.
This project has a duration of 48 months starting from December 2023 and will be co-funded by the consortium partners and the European Union’s key funding program for research and innovation, the “Horizon Europe” program.
The shipowner said it is the first Greek-based shipping company to accomplish a partnership in the EU funded SAFeCRAFT Project Consortium (Safecraft), which aims to demonstrate the safety and viability of sustainable alternative fuels (SAFs) in seaborne transportation, accelerating the adoption of SAFs technologies.
Stamatis Tsantanis, chairman and chief executive said: “We are the first Greek-based shipping company on this groundbreaking project. The strategic partnership with the European Union and key industry stakeholders is another major achievement of our Company towards our global ESG objectives.
“Safecraft is advancing our proven strategy of making the current vessels more efficient and potentially reducing radically GHG emissions by utilizing alternative fuels and new technologies on the existing fleet.
“This prominent combination of world-renowned stakeholders consists of classification societies, engineering and industrial firms, the academic community, as well as the European Union. Our collaborative approach will actively contribute to the development of green solutions for the existing fleet, revealing solutions that have an immediate impact.”
Vasileios G. Petousis, the company’s energy & sustainability manager, stated: “We strive for a more sustainable course of operations, and we constantly evaluate and further improve the Company’s ESG milestones in an effort to meet the global environmental targets through tangible and proven solutions.”
