720758Hydra Prototype Development ProjectClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKCurrently oil tankers are strictly limited to carrying crude oil cargoes on a singular outbound journey, returning with empty holds. The proposed Exagenica Research HYDRA project seeks to build on a successful proof of concept project which proved the conceptual viability of a novel maritime engineering solution with the potential to enable crude oil, product and chemical tankers to be multi-purposed in terms of the type of cargoes they can carry. This would facilitate transportation on inbound journeys, potentially transforming shipping economics and its socio-environmental impact. The HYDRA solution consists of an innovative, pre-fabricated conversion system designed by Exagenica Research. When implemented across the respective hold areas of a tanker, the HYDRA system will extend the ship’s capability to carry more varied cargoes without the need to undergo expensive or lengthy cleaning. In addition to dramatically improving transportation versatility, the HYDRA conversion has also been designed to improve the structural integrity of hold areas, minimising the potential environmental damage caused by a hull breach while transporting liquid cargoes such as crude oil.