Feasibility study into decarbonisation of SOV newbuild and retrofit

This _Feasibility study into decarbonisation of SOV newbuild and retrofit_ is a project to fully realise the ZE new-build and LE retrofit options available to mid-to-large size vessels. Building on Bibby Marine's existing research and development project _MarRI-UK_ _WaveMaster Zero C,_ this new project seeks to build on the knowledge learnt about ZE fuels and how they can be practically implemented to a fleet of SOVs, and how a fully-engineered new build may look.

Bibby Marine as the operator of the WaveMaster SOV fleet will lead this project, with Expleo and Houlder providing significant design and analysis work for WaveMaster new-build and retrofit designs. Damen, who designed and build the original WaveMaster, will be consulted during the design phase to rubber stamp any design modifications. Classification societies will be consulted to fully ratify any safety design challenges that may arise.

Tranche 1 is led by Houlder. They will optimise two pre-existing Damen new-build vessel concepts; a liquid hydrogen and battery vessel, and a methanol engine vessel. The vessel particulars such as the general arrangement, stability and ZE equipment will all be analysed and optimised. A HAZID and risk assessment of the two concepts will determine safe operability.

Tranche 2, the retrofit, looks to understand the operational profile of an SOV to allow targeted targeted profiles to be assessed for the suitability for decarbonisation. Once determined, several alternative decarbonising technology solutions will be further investigated and a design iteration process will be used to develop several possible decarbonising options deemed suitable for the given vessel. The focus of these available options will be determined by (but not limited to) utilising previous work from _M__arRI-UK WaveMaster Zero C_. The retrofit tranche will firstly assess the feasibility of modifying existing vessel infrastructure (such as methanol conversion of the engines and tanks), before then evaluating retrofit of novel technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells. All proposals will be appropriately sized to accommodate for different duty loads such as clean steaming to shore.

The two tranches will then be analysed to determine environmental credentials, economic feasibility, technical feasibility, and alignment with offshore wind bunkering innovations. The end result will be a clear plan forward for the decarbonisation of SOVs for both the short term (retrofit) and the long term (new-build).