Last month, the annual general assembly meeting of Green Offshore Tech took place in Krakow, Poland, underscoring the program’s commitment to driving sustainability in offshore industries.
Green OffshoreTech is a cluster facilitated project with one goal: facilitate the creation of new products, processes, or services that contribute to making offshore production and transport green, clean, and sustainable by supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with funding. This endeavour aligns with the European Union’s Green Deal and contributes to the transition toward a resource-efficient economy while promoting re-industrialisation in Europe.
Among the winners of the Green Offshore Tech fund is Hefring Marine, an Icelandic company that developed the Intelligent Marine Assistance System (IMAS). IMAS is an onboard artificial intelligence (AI) that has a twofold mission: to save fuel consumption and significantly reduce carbon emissions while enhancing safety in both manned and unmanned vessels. To setup the system on board, there is no need to take the vessel out of service as Hefring Marine’s IMAS system is easy to retrofit. Once installed, the system provides real-time sea navigation guidance, offering instant assistance to operators and captains.
In addition to its existing technology, Hefring Marine aims to develop a system that integrates seamlessly with their current solution, providing real-time fuel optimisation guidance to vessel operators. Initial analyses of this fuel optimisation speed indicate an average fuel savings of 20%, which translates to a substantial reduction of approximately 2.7 kilograms per liter of CO2 emissions. This project represents a significant step forward in enhancing economic and environmental sustainability in waterborne transport.
Björn Jónsson – COO & founder of Hefring Marine
Reflecting on their experience with the Green Offshore Tech accelerator program, Björn Jónsson, chief operating officer (COO) and founder of Hefring Marine, had high praise for the opportunity provided by the program. The application process was straightforward, and the team received feedbacks of their proposal. This support enabled them to build a strong presentation to showcase their innovative idea and business model. Through a two-phase selection process, Hefring Marine was ultimately selected to receive the Green Offshore Tech fund. This financial support essentially covered the salary of a full-time employee for an entire year which was very valuable to the growth of Hefring Marine.
Hefring Marine also appreciated the program’s diverse webinars, which offered useful learning opportunities. They found immense value in connecting with fellow SMEs to share ideas and experiences, fostering a supportive community of innovators. Additionally, they praised the support provided by Dr. Alexandra Leeper, from the Iceland Ocean Cluster, in preparing their proposal.
Hefring Marine‘s journey through the Green Offshore Tech accelerator program is a testament to the impact that innovation and sustainability can have in the maritime industry. Their commitment to making offshore operations more environmentally friendly and efficient is not only shaping the future of waterborne transport but also contributing to the goals of a better world.
