ECOPRODIGI

The project ECOPRODIGI made the processes in the maritime industry more eco-efficient and sustainable by introducing cutting-edge digital solutions.

The challenge

Multifaceted challenges in the shipping industry

The shipping industry is increasingly challenged by the pressure on environmental performance, fierce global competition and emerging digital technologies in the market. Compliance with the new regulations and demands on reduced emissions are viewed as one of the largest challenges for the shipping industry in the future. In parallel, the shipping industry is facing increasing competition from the countries in Asia, which triggers a new way of running a business. It implies cuts of costs in shipping, in shipbuilding as well as the overall supply chain. In other words, there is a need to produce more value with less resources and less pollution. Finally, the uptake of the emerging digital technologies, e.g. big data, sensors, cloud services, virtual and augmented reality, 3D scanning, internet-of-things-based solutions, etc., would optimise many complex processes and ensure eco-efficiency. A purchase and integration of different technologies would require new decisions and investments.

New perspectives in tackling the challenges

The challenges are not new to the public authorities and policymakers, but there is still a lack of the tools to communicate the need for targeted actions to the end-users. The focus while solving the problems is primarily on fuel alternatives and consumption, and less attention is dedicated to the fact that a considerable share of the ecological footprint of ships is generated in the choices made in the operations and processes along the whole vessel life-cycle. The whole value chain of design, building, stowage, usage, maintenance, and conversion processes should be smartly streamlined in terms of eco-efficiency. Thus, there is a need in building capacity of the shipping industry to upgrade eco-efficiency in operations through training and designing a digitalisation road map for increasing eco-efficiency.

The project ECOPRODIGY intended to enable the shipping industry end-users to apply new tools and capacities to increase eco-efficiency and competitiveness by introducing digital solutions.

Budgets

ECOPRODIGI
in numbers

4.24

Million

Total
3.00

Million

Erdf
0.00

Million

Eni + Russia
0.14

Million

Norway

Achievements

The project ECOPRODIGI brought together 21 partners from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Lithuania to jointly develop digital solutions to ensure eco-efficiency in the shipping industry processes. It addressed shipping companies, ports, shipyards and their suppliers, studied the existing eco-inefficiencies in their processes and piloted digital technologies.

Tailored solutions in targeted technological cases

The partners mapped the process eco-inefficiencies in three dimensions, specifically in digital performance monitoring, cargo stowage optimization and process optimization at shipyards. The mapping was a point of departure for the development of digital solutions that would save money, human resources, time and the environment. As an example, Swedish and Danish partners analysed vessel performance by testing eco-efficiency assessment tools on four ferry routes in Denmark, and on larger vessels on-route between Denmark and Sweden. The participating vessels received recommendations on how to optimise their route and reduce fuel consumption. The partners analysed methods and processes of cargo stowage and mapped the vessels´ stay in harbour. Another example is a cooperation between Finnish and Lithuanian shipyards who revealed the key eco-inefficiencies in internal processes at the Finish shipyard.

Equipped through pilots

The partners piloted digital tools and concepts with a focus on three technological cases and allowed the users to mitigate critical eco-inefficiencies in processes being assisted and advised by the project partners. Among the concrete actions, the users tested to change their working processes, integrate the digital technologies in their systems, or train their staff. Such aspects as education and training were embraced by the partners who developed two training programmes on shipyard processes and stowage operations. The aim of the training was to spread the knowledge about the new digital solutions, encourage the users to apply them in planning and operating. The solutions were summarized in 3 story maps and 5 videos.

Ensured outreach to a policy level

To ensure adaptability and viability of the results, the project partners developed policy briefs that contained the main findings, implications and recommendations of each technological dimension. The focus was on concrete actions from the policymakers´ side on how to support the industry digitalisation. The outcome of these targeted actions would be more eco-efficient and sustainable shipbuilding and ship operations.

Thus, the project ECOPRODIGI used EUR 3.81 million to introduce digital solutions and make the processes in shipping and maritime industries more eco-efficient.

Outputs

Digitalisation roadmaps for increasing eco-efficiency

Two roadmaps “Maritime in the 21st Century” (Ro-Ro shipping) and “Road to Shipyard 4.0” (shipyard processes) serve as a guiding document for industry to better prepare for digitalisation. The roadmaps contain a brief history of maritime developments, current state analysis, and the future technology roadmap. The visualisation on a timeline allows to get information about the digital solution, what is the current way of operating, what benefits does the solution bring, what is needed for the technology to become a standard way of operating, and a need of policy actions. The roadmaps are for policymakers, industry, technology developers and researchers.

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Training programs

Two training programs include one module for shipyard eco-systems with focus on the optimisation of shipbuilding processes at shipyards, while another module is for shipping and port activities. The first training programme aims to equip shipyards and their suppliers with needed competences in training their staff in using digital tools in yard process optimisation. The other training programme is for shipping companies and ports to enable RO-RO shipping companies, terminals, and clients to ensure fuel savings, improved RO-RO vessel utilisation and reduced waiting times for clients. The focus is on the integration of IT systems, developing and testing advanced RO-RO cargo stowage or load planning tools, and facilitating the design of more efficient new work procedures on terminals / ships.

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Policy briefs

Policy briefs focus on three technological dimensions such as digital performance monitoring, cargo stowage optimization and process optimization at shipyards. The briefs contain the key findings of each technological dimension as well as practical recommendations on how to strengthen digitalisation and eco-efficiency in the identified areas. Policymakers on international, EU, national and regional levels, as well as the maritime industry and interest groups, can find inspiration and concrete guidelines in the policy briefs.

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Project Stories

16.11.2021

Harnessing the benefits of digitalisation for an eco-efficient maritime industry

Maritime industry in the Baltic Sea region needs innovative ideas to keep up with strict environmental regulations while maintaining competitiveness. Driven by eco-efficiency, the ECOPRODIGI project developed and piloted digital solutions to better measure, visualise and optimise maritime industry processes.
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