GTT, a global stakeholder in the shipping of liquefied natural gas (LNG), has secured almost US$5 million in funding from Bpifrance as part of the MerVent 2025 project, winner of the “CORIMER 2022” request for expressions of interest, for the design of an on-board CO2 capture system and the development of intelligent operational performance solutions.
The MerVent 2025 project aims to design, build, and operate the first commercial container ship with hybrid wind-assisted and synthetic fuel propulsion by 2025.
The consortium includes shipowner Zéphyr & Borée, CWS, the designer and manufacturer of the wing-sails, Centrale Nantes University with its energy optimisation research teams, OSE Engineering (a subsidiary of the GTT group) for the design of intelligent operational performance solutions, and GTT for the design of an onboard CO2 capture system.
GTT is developing an on-board capture technology solution that is expected to capture at least 30% of the CO2 emissions of the alternative fuel being considered (LNG, methanol, e-GNL, and bioGNL) within the framework of this innovative project, contributing to the goal of reducing CO2 emissions by at least 50% for this type of vessel.
“This design of a commercial container ship with hybrid wind-assisted propulsion and synthetic fuel is the forerunner of a new generation of carbon-free merchant ships thanks to a highly innovative ship design, a hybrid propulsion and an on-board CO2 capture system adapted to the alternative fuels currently being considered by the shipping industry,” stated Philippe Berterottière, chairman and CEO of GTT.