LNG utilisation in shipping is increasing and has direct effects namely benefits on air quality and human health. Moreover, CO2 emission is lower with gas use compared to diesel fuels, but ‘methane slip’ may form in gas combustion. The low-pressure dual fuel concept is the most popular LNG engine technology and unfortunately also the technology producing methane slip. Therefore, development of methane slip reduction technologies for these low-pressure dual fuel cases is the focus of this project. To assess the methane emissions from shipping the GREEN RAY project will combine existing data collection with onboard measurements to address existing vessels and new builds, normal operation and varying loads, and further utilise these results in a model development to achieve LNG fleet level assessment. To prevent the methane slip, the strong consortium of GREEN RAY will develop on-engine technologies for low pressure dual fuel engines and aftertreatment technologies for the existing vessels as well as newbuilds. First, the four stroke engine technology is developed further to enable methane slip reduction at all engine loads and to be applicable to the largest engines in the market involving cruise, ferry and gas carriers. Second, the on-engine technology development for the two stroke engine, around a patented LNG injection system, will aim to significantly reduce methane slip from e.g. tankers and container ships. Third, a unique approach of a sulphur resistant catalyst system to significant methane oxidation while also ensuring that the activity remains high over time. The achievements of these three technologies' development will be demonstrated onboard two new builds and one retrofit to existing vessel, all of them targeting TRL 7, and implementing the partnership on ZEWT. Dissemination and exploitation of GREEN RAY results towards acknowledged target groups will enable wide deployment of the new technologies maximising also the benefits for climate.

The HELENUS project will build, integrate and demonstrate a 500kW solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) module operating in cogeneration (combined heat and power) mode, in an MSC World class series ocean cruise vessel. The SOFC will be fully integrated- spatially, electrically, and thermally- into the ship design. SOFCs are the most efficient chemical energy converters available today, and are also highly fuel-flexible- thereby remaining highly relevant for the future of waterborne transport. The HELENUS demonstrator will achieve a TRL of 7 at the end of the project, with extended field testing already planned to reach TRL8 by 2028-2029. Success of this project will enable upscaling of mature SOFC technology in ocean cruise liners to as high as 20MW, by as early as 2029. This can unlock over 23% total fuel savings (assuming a hybrid 20MW SOFC+60MW ICE energy system) over a state-of-the-art energy system with only ICEs. The HELENUS consortium involves diverse and accomplished stakeholders representing the entire value chain from technology development to field implementation- creating a rapid pathway towards exploitation and commercialisation. HELENUS will also undertake extensive simulation, experimental (using an 80kW scaled-down SOFC module), and analytical efforts to demonstrate the applicability of the developed SOFC solution (i) upon significant scale-up (10 MW and beyond), (ii) over duty cycles of alternate applications such as dredging- and offshore- vessels, and (iii) using carbon-neutral fuels with potential for future maritime uptake. Experimental results will be complemented by application case- and lifecycle performance- analyses to assess the broader impact of the technology on waterborne transport. Therefore, HELENUS creates a technological and regulatory roadmap towards a maritime future with scaled-up clean energy systems operating on renewable fuels – thereby fostering innovation and significantly boosting the competitiveness of the EU maritime industry