BESST - Breakthrough in European Ship and Shipbuilding Technologies
Overview
Background & policy context:
BESST was initiated by EuroYards, an EEIG (European Economic Interest Grouping) representing leading European shipyards. Shipbuilders in Europe are facing tough competition due to worldwide shipbuilding overcapacity. In addition: climate change and increased public awareness call for reduced environmental impact and increased safety of shipping.
The main impact factors on Life Cycle Performance ('LCP') are cost, environmental impact, safety and societal needs. The challenge of the project was to ensure optimal interaction and integration of all sub-systems on ship level, by applying sophisticated process skills and technological innovations for specific ship systems; available research results were applied. This required, along with technical innovations, the development of a holistic approach for Life Cycle Performance assessment. Focus is put on the market segment of high value added, complex, one-of-a-kind ships, in particular cruise vessels, passenger ships, ferries and mega yachts.
Note that the involvement of shipyards, research institutes and universities, classification societies and industrial companies ensured that results can also be applied to other types of ships.
Objectives:
The objective of BESST was to develop ships with substantially improved Life Cycle Performance ('LCP'), compensating higher initial cost. This secured and improved the competitive position of European shipyards in a sustainable way, looking into the medium and long term future.
Having in mind the comparatively high labour cost in Europe, it is necessary to increase the competitiveness of European built ships through decreased life cycle cost, drastically reduced environmental impact and improved safety. In short, there is a need for:
- development of holistic life cycle performance assessment methods and tools comprising life cycle cost, environmental impact, safety and societal needs;
- development of innovative technical solutions for the most important ship systems and to combine them in an optimal way on ship level.
Methodology:
The project results was integrated in virtual show cases (ship concepts) demonstrating technical solutions as well as life cycle impact compared to current designs. Optimisation tools were developed and applied in a cooperative process proving feasibility, adaptability and efficiency to future commercial applications. In medium and long term the project set out to thus contribute to the competitiveness of European shipbuilding and shipping, as well as to the reduction of emissions and the environmental footprint of ships. It aimed to achieve a breakthrough in competitiveness, environmentally friendliness and safety of EU built ships. Although the project focused on passenger ships, ferries and mega-yachts, the results will be (to a large extent) applicable also to other ships.
BESST set out to result in a reduction of life cycle cost and a reduction of CO2 emissions. Shipyards, research institutes and universities, classification societies and ship equipment suppliers are part of the consortium. Close interaction with ship operators will be achieved through a dedicated Advisory Group. A multi-level management structure, based on the experience of the shipyards in previous R&D and commercial projects, ensured efficient and targeted work of the consortium to ensure the envisaged impact.
BESST primarily looked at integrating technical innovations on ship level. Methods and tools for a holistic Life Cycle Performance ('LCP') were assessed. Based on a careful analysis of ship systems contributing (to the largest extent) to the LCP of a ship, technical innovations were be developed and assessed. The focus was on:
- Space Optimisation and Easy Maintenance;
- Improving Payload to Gross Tonnage Ratio;
- Cost Efficient Building Processes and Refurbishment;
- Improved Energy Efficiency and Reduced Emissions;
- Noise and Vibration;
- Improved Reliability through Condition Monitoring;
- Optimisation of Logistic Chains;
- Improving Safety and Security.
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