The urgency for environmental sustainability demands innovative and actionable solutions throughout a ship’s lifecycle. The EcoShipyard (ESY) project addresses this challenge, ensuring that shipyards are not just more efficient but also more environmentally friendly during their operations. In this way, the ESY project aims to contribute to the EU’s environmental and climate goals, provide valuable insights and best practices for sustainable shipbuilding, thus benefiting both the environment and industry.
The Shipyard Environmental Performance Index
A key deliverable of the ESY project is the development of the Shipyard Environmental Performance Index (SEPI), a benchmark for shipyards to assess their environmental performance and identify areas for improvement. SEPI will be based on a thorough investigation of shipyard practices and resources, including energy use, emissions, waste and other environmental impacts. The metric will be used not just to quantify the environmental performance of shipyards but also to serve as a reference metric for their continued improvement. A series of case studies will be developed using the SEPI metric, comparing the environmental performance and cost efficiency of conventional vs. advanced shipyard processes and technologies. With the help of SEPI, the ESY project aims to achieve an estimated 40% improvement in shipyard environmental performance compared to baseline.
Generic Digital Twin Model
The ESY project will develop and deliver a Digital Twin Shipyard (DTS) Model to assess and benchmark the environmental impact and cost-efficiency of a shipyard for a variety of processes such as newbuilding, retrofit and repair, dismantling and scrapping. The DTS will allow for improvements in the ship design process, increase efficiency of shipyard operations, help identify potential hazards and mitigate shipyard operational risks.
Guidelines Development
Following DTS modelling, guidelines will be developed identifying which technical, organisational and human resource solutions reduce energy, waste and emissions, thus improving the environmental performance of the shipyard. A Living Lab Cluster (LLC) will be developed to provide hands-on training on shipyard best practices for a variety of stakeholders, and to organise specific demonstration, dissemination and promotion activities.
Blueprint for an EU Material Passport
The ESY project will develop a blueprint for an EU Material Passport for Waterborne Transport Assets that considers the ship circularity readiness level (CRL) of non-hazardous materials. This Material Passport, updated throughout a ship’s lifecycle. represents a strategic tool that allows for better material traceability and lifecycle management – improving a ship’s environmental sustainability, resource efficiency and economic viability.
Expected Impacts
By evaluating initial costs (e.g., investment, purchase and installation), ongoing expenses (e.g., energy, operating and maintenance costs), and end-of-life financial considerations (e.g., resale, salvage), the ESY project will allow stakeholders to make informed decisions that balance both economic and environmental considerations effectively.
Digital tools and validation procedures developed by the ESY project will combine into an advanced platform (TRL9) designed to measure the performance of non-operational environmental impacts of shipping such as construction, repair and end-of-life. The platform will serve as a comprehensive roadmap of a ship’s lifecycle, ensuring environmental compliance with EU regulations and directives while fostering a culture of sustainability within shipyards.
Furthermore, the ESY project recognizes that human resources play a critical role in helping shipyards achieve their objectives. By reskilling/upskilling shipyard personnel, the ESY project will address a green technology talent gap that exists in European shipyards. It is expected that 10,000 Individuals will be engaged through ESY, while 500 of them will acquire new, valuable skills enabling them to contribute to the project’s success.
By providing comprehensive tools for life-cycle cost analysis, creating a platform for environmental performance measurement, and fostering a skilled workforce adept in green technologies, the ESY project will help the maritime industry move away from a conventional linear manufacturing model to a more sustainable circular one.
This transition is crucial for the maritime industry if it is to embrace a future where efficiency, waste reduction and minimal environmental impact are of paramount importance.
Co-funded by the European Union. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 101138730.
