EU-backed project to support decarbonization through ‘innovative’ decision-making system

A consortium, including Finnish technology group Wärtsilä, has set sights on the development of a new system for the maritime industry that is aimed at improving access to reliable data to enable smarter shipping decisions related to decarbonizing fleet operations. The project, named TwinShip, is supported by the European Union (EU).

As disclosed, the project will involve over a dozen technology and service providers, ship design and shipping companies, classification societies, ports, software developers, and research and academic bodies.

The partners will work on the development of a decision support system (DSS) that can be used when planning different setups of machinery, propulsion, and energy-saving devices for newbuilds and retrofits.

Specifically, the intention of the project is to provide reliable cost, performance, and emission data, based on “the best possible domain knowledge”. This data will be enhanced by advanced AI algorithms capable of analyzing extensive real-world test data. The outcomes of the project will be validated through four pilot vessel demonstrations, according to Wärtsilä.

The Finnish firm highlighted also that the need for decarbonization is well-acknowledged in the maritime industry. However, investment decisions are “often delayed due to a lack of accurate cost, performance, and emission estimations for new and/or retrofitted ship designs.” This is especially relevant when it comes to new sustainable fuels and energy-saving solutions, it was noted.

“Industry collaboration is essential if the shipping industry is to meet its emissions reduction goals, and this TwinShip project is an extremely important initiative that we at Wärtsilä are keen to support,” said Anders Öster, General Manager, Research Coordination & Funding, Wärtsilä Marine.

“By working together under this project’s cooperative umbrella we can make a real contribution to a decarbonised future.”

The TwinShip project will use and build further upon the outcomes of Wärtsilä’s previous and ongoing EU-funded projects, such as SeaTech, CHEK, Green Ray, and Ammonia2-4.

“The project will set ambitious benchmarks for supporting the industry with its target of reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. These benchmarks will be in line with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, which includes a target of net-zero GHG emissions by or around 2050. A central element will be providing access to reliable data and predictive insights that will have a significant impact on optimising fleet efficiency leading to improved performance, lower costs, and reduced emissions,” Wärtsilä concluded.