Alternatives to Fuel: Exploring the Possibilities

For centuries, the maritime industry has played a crucial role in global trade and the economy. Ships are the lifeline of international trade routes, but they also come with challenges, especially concerning fuels and environmental impacts. Nowadays, sustainability is almost a given factor in ship design.

Fossil fuels
For a long time, fossil fuels such as heavy fuel oil and diesel were the preferred choice for shipping. They were cheap and reasonably efficient, but they also brought significant drawbacks, including high CO2 emissions, air pollution, and the risks of oil spills. In the long term, these fuels are not sustainable, and something had to change to reduce the maritime industry's impact on the environment.

Combustion engine or electric motor?
At DEKC Maritime, we always strive for the most economical solution, and sustainability is an intrinsic concern for us. However, the future of maritime fuel is highly dynamic, with continuous work on new and sustainable solutions. How these fuels will power future ships is also a big question: can we continue to use combustion engines coupled directly to a propeller (the most efficient option), or will we need to shift to an electric propulsion system (the most flexible option)?

Green hydrogen
When considering truly green fuels, everything starts with hydrogen. Hydrogen can be made directly from water and electricity: this means that if the electricity is generated from renewable sources (such as wind, solar, hydro, or geothermal), green hydrogen is carbon zero. However, hydrogen is very difficult to store for longer periods of time and it is highly flammable. Therefore, it is not ideal as a fuel for cargo ships.

Methane and methanol
Two alternatives to hydrogen are methane and methanol. In essence, methane is the same thing as LNG (liquid natural gas), which is a fossil fuel already in use in many ships. It is possible to produce methane using hydrogen and CO2, so if green hydrogen and renewable electricity is used in its production it is a carbon neutral fuel. Storage is still tricky with methane, as it must be stored in cooled and pressurized tanks. Methanol is a further step down the line, which can be made from hydrogen or methane. It is much easier to store in a ship but is toxic to humans. Furthermore, like hydrogen, both methane and methanol are still highly flammable.

The role of regulation
In the pursuit of sustainable alternatives to traditional fuels, the role of regulation and collaboration cannot be underestimated. Governments worldwide are recognizing the urgency of addressing climate change and are implementing stricter regulations on emissions and fuel consumption for the maritime industry. These regulations are spurring innovation and encouraging shipbuilders and operators to explore greener options.

Inherently more efficient
At DEKC Maritime, we have developed various concepts related to alternatives to fossil fuels. However, we have not applied them yet, as the market direction is still uncertain. This made us think: how can we design a vessel to be as flexible as possible, capable of sailing regardless of the fuel choice? Thus, we focus on making the design inherently more efficient. We concentrate on the fundamentals, something that benefits everyone involved, such as streamlined ships and steel sails. Want to know more? You can read all about that here.

New managing director and shareholders for DEKC Maritime

We are excited to announce that Theodoor de Jonge has started as managing director at DEKC Maritime! With 25 years of experience in the international maritime sector, Theodoor is a familiar face and brings valuable expertise to the team.

Together with Ferus Smit as co-shareholder, Theodoor has acquired the DEKC Maritime and Groot Ship Design shares from Nimbus hands-on investors, placing the companies in the hands of persons with strong ties to the maritime industry.

Ferus Smit, active in the Northern Netherlands shipbuilding industry through various companies, was eager to invest in both businesses alongside Theodoor de Jonge. Driven by his deep involvement in the shipbuilding sector and a desire to strengthen the maritime cluster in the Northern Netherlands, he found this partnership an exciting opportunity.

DEKC Maritime primarily focuses on the offshore (wind), one-offs/special projects, dredging, and operational markets, while Groot Ship Design is a leading player in the design of shortsea and ocean-going cargo vessels.

Both DEKC Maritime and Groot Ship Design will continue to operate autonomously under their own names, maintaining their focus on their respective market segments. Groot Ship Design will continue to be managed by Jan Willem Cuperus with Theodoor involved as a strategic partner.

Are you interested in learning more about these developments?
We’d love to hear from you!

Calculations can be performed ten times quicker

Our team designs and creates vessels. Sometimes we start with a well-developed plan, sometimes we start from zero with just an idea. Designing a vessel is a complicated project. It does not only need to be able to sail from A to B: it must also be able to withstand waves, currents, extreme weather conditions and other heavy forces. What's more, the vessel must be manageable for the crew. The challenge? Crafting a vessel that not only reaches its destination safely but also performs its job reliably, no matter the conditions. How do we ensure that every ship meets these demands?"

From air to sea
Our naval architects at DEKC Maritime are dedicated to calculating and testing the structural integrity and performance of vessels. Our team includes experts with diverse backgrounds, such as aerospace engineering. One team member recalls, “During my studies, I focused on the design and construction of aircraft. Later, I conducted research on the interaction between vessels and water currents in Groningen.”

Designing for both air and sea might appear vastly different, but there are strong parallels. One specific similarity is the propellers. "Both wind turbines and marine propellers face massive forces, and we use some of the same mathematical formulas to calculate the impact of water and air," explains one of our naval architects. Indeed, air and water currents share fundamental physical laws, making similar calculations applicable to both.

The distinction, however, lies in the numbers themselves. “Calculating the forces of ocean currents brings unique challenges, especially with waves,” they note. “Water is rarely still, and vessels are frequently subjected to intense forces from waves, weather, and currents, posing one of the primary challenges in vessel design.”


Lengthy calculations
Calculations play a crucial role in describing the interaction between various systems. Take, for example, a free-fall lifeboat launched from a downward slope off a vessel. This lifeboat must withstand the impact of hitting the water surface, which is assessed through Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) analysis. These are not simple calculations done with a calculator or on paper; they are highly complex and large-scale. In fact, such calculations were initially almost impossible due to their length, often taking days to complete.

Thanks to advancements made during our doctoral research, this calculation process has been significantly shortened. Today, these complex analyses can be conducted up to ten times faster. By improving the conditions under which calculations are performed and optimizing how different systems interact, these calculations, though still time-intensive, are now feasible.


The right side up
At DEKC Maritime, our experts apply their knowledge and research to design new vessels and modify existing ones. As we like to joke, designing a vessel might seem simple: it just needs to stay upright! In reality, however, it's a highly intricate process. Most vessels we work on are unique, each with specific properties and requirements. Factors such as vessel movement, currents, aerodynamics, and stability are all carefully analyzed and balanced.

Each member of the DEKC Maritime team has their own area of expertise. For instance, one team calculates the forces of sea currents interacting with the vessel's structure, while another team focuses on reinforcing the vessel to withstand those forces. If a vessel must handle waves as high as 8 meters, the teams coordinate closely to create a design that is both practical and cost-effective for our client.

Collaboration is a core value at DEKC Maritime. Our team members work openly and cooperatively, each bringing unique expertise and perspectives to the table to solve complex challenges together. This commitment to teamwork is one of our greatest strengths and a key part of what makes working at DEKC Maritime so rewarding.


Future challenges
Many challenges in maritime engineering continue to present exciting research opportunities. For instance, we are exploring floating structures, such as solar panels designed to float on the sea's surface. These structures must be flexible enough to adapt to wave movements, allowing them to withstand forces from sea currents more effectively. Calculating how to create such resilient and adaptable designs is fascinating work, though floating constructions remain an innovative vision for the future.

Maritime sustainability: streamlining and steel sails

In a world where sustainability and environmental friendliness are becoming increasingly important, many industries are searching for innovative ways to reduce their impact on the environment. The maritime sector, historically known for its polluting emissions and environmental impact, is also shifting its focus towards a greener future. One of the developments, for instance, involves smartly utilizing the wind through streamlining and steel sails.

ROM RACING BIKES TO SHIPS
In recent years, there has been a growing focus on reducing air resistance. How can we smoothly cut through the air? The idea is similar to racing bikes. While a regular bicycle tube is round, a racing bike uses a streamlined air foil profile to minimize resistance. We have applied this concept to ships. Our focus is on creating a clean and practical design, striving for maximum efficiency without compromising the ship's practical usability.

SMART STREAMLINING
Did you know that adjusting the shape of a ship can result in a fuel saving of five to ten percent? And all this without extra costs! While traditional ships often have a large block where the crew resides, we have found that streamlining this part and the rest of the ship can lead to significant savings. This is an aspect that received little attention until ten years ago. However, thanks to advanced modelling and prediction technologies, we now have the ability to analyse and optimize accurately. So why not take advantage of this opportunity?

STEEL SAILS
Although not every type of ship is suitable for a streamlined superstructure, it is an ideal solution for many general cargo ships. Additionally, we also integrate steel sails on ships. These sails more closely resemble aircraft wings standing upright than a traditional canvas sail and mast. By making these sails rigid, it becomes easier to automate their operation, and allows higher efficiencies to be achieved. In some cases, a technique called boundary layer suction can be used to increase the efficiency of the sail even more by installing a fan inside the sail tower. As designers, we take the aerodynamics of both the sails and the ship into account: in doing so, we ensure that both the sails and the ship can function optimally.

Streamlining the superstructures of ships significantly reduces the wake (blue area), which results in less overall resistance and therefore lower fuel consumption

PROMISING PERSPECTIVE
In addition to fuel savings, steel sails also contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and make ships less dependent on fossil fuels. Smartly harnessing the power of the wind offers a promising perspective for more environmentally friendly navigation and can play a crucial role in promoting sustainability in the shipping industry.

Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger ‘Emerald Duchess’

We take pride in our role as a leading maritime engineering firm. Our recent completion of the full engineering scope for the diesel-electric Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger "Emerald Duchess" in collaboration with Neptune Marine marks a significant milestone for us.

Starting from Neptune Marine's initial concept, we successfully navigated the entire design process, from securing class approval to providing detailed production information. The "Emerald Duchess" is currently being constructed for PD Ports, showcasing our expertise and commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions within the maritime sector.

Our collaboration with Neptune Marine underscores our belief in the power of teamwork and innovation. We are grateful for Neptune Marine's trust in our capabilities and look forward to continuing our partnership. Together, we are dedicated to shaping the future of the maritime industry.

Key Certifications for Enhanced Offshore Operations

DEKC Maritime has supported Jumbo Maritime & Offshore in obtaining Special Purpose Ship (SPS) certification and Industrial Personnel (IP)-Code notation for the Jumbo Javelin and Fairplayer. With these certifications, both vessels can seamlessly continue their offshore projects, maintaining their high standards of safety and minimizing environmental impact.

To determine if both vessels could meet the stricter stability criteria and identify necessary ship modifications to obtain the SPS & IP-Code notation, Jumbo enlisted DEKC Maritime. DEKC conducted extensive stability calculations, provided advice on the most efficient modifications, and carried out engineering work, including arrangements, construction plans, and updating systems diagrams.

Additionally, modifications to safety- and ballast systems were required resulting in the need to upgrade the vessel’s integrated automation and alarm monitoring system to the latest standards, empowering simultaneously Jumbo Maritime & Offshore to further engage on their digitalization roadmap, to mine more data from their fleet that will assist to further optimize technical- and sustainable performance.

Since both vessels sail under the Dutch flag and are classed by Lloyd’s Register, open communication with these authorities was crucial to ensure a clear understanding of the applicable rules, the required modifications and planning as the ships are operational deployed.

Special Purpose Ship (SPS) certification is a designation given to vessels that are designed or in case of Jumbo Maritime & Offshore, to carry out specialized operations at sea, such as offshore construction, maintenance, and installation tasks, often in the offshore energy sector. These ships must meet certain safety and operational standards that are different from those for traditional cargo or passenger vessels, reflecting their unique roles and the specialized personnel they carry.

FROM IDEA TO VESSEL: THE DESIGN PROCESS OF DEKC MARITIME

Designing and building a vessel is an incredibly broad and complicated process. That's why the several departments of DEKC Maritime work together to launch each and every vessel successfully. Bram van Kleef, business development manager at DEKC Maritime, gives a sneak peek into the intricate design process of vessels at DEKC. How are clients' ideas translated to a fully designed and constructed vessel? Which factors are taken into account?

Three departments

DEKC Maritime provides full vessel design, from idea to execution. Van Kleef: ‘We have experience in many areas, such as offshore wind and construction, dredging, heavy lift and transport, shipping, passenger transport and yachts. DEKC Maritime is divided into three main departments: Design & Support, Mechanical Engineering and Detail Engineering.'

Van Kleef continues: 'The Design & Support department is where the vessel is designed, calculated and tested to prove that it meets the required expectations. Offshore wind installation vessels, for example, have to be able to lift heavy turbines while withstanding the many forces of currents and waves. Our Design & Support department therefore ensures vessels can perform their duties safely.

The Mechanical Engineering department then translates the vessel design to an actual working ship, which includes choosing and placing the necessary machinery, electrics, all piping systems, and outfitting such as stairs, ladders, and platforms. Also, the Mechanical Engineering department designs custom supports for transporting heavy components, such as wind turbine towers, on the deck of a ship.

Lastly, the Detail Engineering department provides information about the construction of every single part of the vessel. They do this by building up the steelwork of the vessel hull part by part in a 3D computer model. This model is then used to create a specification of each steel part in the ship, which can subsequently be cut out of steel plate and delivered to the shipyard.’

DEKC over the years

This third department actually formed the basis of DEKC Maritime, Van Kleef explains. ‘Years ago, DEKC Maritime was founded with the goal of supporting shipyards with detail engineering: the design of each plate, each bolt and how it all fits together. Over the course of time, DEKC Maritime has expanded to different areas in which the team supports shipyards and shipping companies to create new vessels or improve existing vessels. Our background in detail engineering, combined with fifteen years of experience in designing and testing, means we can help our clients in a very complete way: from idea to vessel.'

The process

How does the design process take form? ‘It all starts with the client’s ideas. The dimensions of the vessel, special requirements and the budget. Using our technology, we can then create a digital first impression of the vessel. Next, we calculate every part of the vessel, such as the structure and the impact of currents in air and sea. Safety concerns, stability, optimization – everything is taken into account. You could compare it to climbing the Eiffel Tower: once you've reached the top, you trust that the structure won't collapse beneath your feet. This applies to vessels as well: from the start, we prove that our design works and is safe, so it meets the requirements of the client.’

Next, the calculations are checked externally by a classification society to ensure the safety and design. ‘This is a mandatory requirement. Once everything is checked, the Detail Engineering department comes into the picture. They design every part of the vessel, big and small, in detail. Every stair, every railing and every metal plate. The parts are numbered and constructed and then delivered to the shipyard, where the actual construction begins.’

Challenges of the sea

The sea always brings interesting challenges to designs. ‘Take the Acta Orion, for example: an offshore support vessel for wind farm installation and maintenance. We built this vessel to work in the wind turbine parks in the North Sea and it supports 80 people. The construction had to be performed in just 16 months. The area in which the vessel would work was particularly challenging. Waves in the North Sea are quite difficult to design for, due to the wavelength and inconsistent frequency caused by convergence of ocean currents towards the English Channel. Therefore, one of the challenges was the stabilization of the vessel. This was an interesting project. We had to analyze: what are the properties of the water in the field of work? How can a vessel function optimally in this area?’

Actively involved

During the design, the client can be actively involved, says Van Kleef. ‘We leverage our strength in 3D Modeling with Cadmatic to give our clients a visual representation of the work in progress. They can see the status of the vessel’s design whenever they want. And if a client wants to meet us weekly to discuss the progress, we gladly facilitate this. But if they want us to fully design the vessel without much discussion, that's also possible.'

 
 

Bram van Kleef, business development manager