Project OptiMar will deliver a technical and economic pre-deployment trial using cutting edge digital tools to deliver, for the first time, an integrated assessment and optimisation of vessel configuration and operation. This project brings together the successful vessel models from the CMDC3 CHAMP2 project and the scheduling optimisation tools from the SSAF SEAS feasibility project. Starting from these tools OptiMar will create an integrated digital twin of their vessels and operations, within which we will be able to iteratively examine and improve the efficiency of vessel activity and cleanliness of the vessel propulsion system.

SEAS will deliver a technical and economic feasibility project utilising smart software and infrastructure to improve the scheduling of pilot vessels operating at Harwich Haven. A pre-feasibility study completed by Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) and PurpleSector indicates that our optimised approach can significantly reduce the number of trips made by the pilot vessels. Project SEAS smart optimisation target is to confirm that a 30% reduction in distance travelled, and emissions is deliverable, whilst maintaining the same quality of service. This project, delivered in collaboration by PurpleSector and HHA, will apply innovative scheduling optimisation methodologies derived from PurpleSector's motorsport experience to support human decision making at the HHA. The existing scheduling approach requires VTS operators to interpret multiple incoming data streams and manually develop the schedule. In contrast, we propose to automatically interface with the incoming data-streams from port, vessels and marine organisations, deploy in port (for the first time) vision based non-contact sensing systems to provide additional real-time feeds, and use artificial intelligence to process the data. The result will be a scenario-based scheduling tool, that automatically updates to real-time events and presents multiple graded future event scenarios for action by the VTS operator. PurpleSector and HHA are perfectly positioned to deliver this feasibility project. PurpleSector, founded to transfer Formula 1 expertise to commercial applications, will utilise experience of motorsport systems to contextualise the schedule optimisation information, presenting to the operator meaningful insights, integrated with existing software displays. HHA as the problem owner, will bring the voice of the customer to the project, providing direction on the practicality and deliverability of the technical approach, plus the economics required for the business model.

This project seeks to use artificial intelligence and statistical analysis to develop a tool that can be rapidly deployed, alongside Smart Factory instrumentation, to identify and resolve issues in manufacturing lines.

The International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) Greenhouse Gas study highlighted that maritime transportation emits around 940 million tonnes of CO2 annually and is responsible for around 2.5% of global greenhouse gas. Without action it is projected to increase between 50% and 250% by 2050\. With the ever-increasing global focus on sustainability and decarbonisation, the IMO targets a 50% reduction in emissions by 2050\. In parallel, marine authorities are mandating greener drive solutions, especially in closed areas such as marinas and city waterways. Technology has a key role to play in achieving an aggressive reduction in CO2, however, the industry must evolve to adapt new technologies that increase sustainability. This is especially true for technologies that have been developed and demonstrated in other industries already, such as the automotive and motorsport sectors. The CHAMP 2 (Clean Hybrid Alternative Marine Powertrain) project seeks to demonstrate the benefits that can be realised through clean marine propulsion systems, whilst also validating and streamlining the digital workflow used to develop them. This will allow for alternative configurations to be identified and applied in a rapid and de-risked way, and in turn to assist in catalysing the clean-up of the maritime sector. Additionally, the project will address the standardisation of supply chain input and evaluate the skills and capability gaps that need to be resolved for successful delivery.

The International Maritime Organisation's Greenhouse Gas study highlighted that maritime transportation emits around 940 million tonnes of CO2 annually and is responsible for around 2.5% of global greenhouse gas. Without action it is projected to increase between 50% and 250% by 2050\. With the ever-increasing global focus on sustainability and decarbonisation, the IMO targets a 50% reduction in emissions by 2050\. In parallel, marine authorities are mandating greener drive solutions, especially in closed areas such as marinas and city waterways. Technology has a key role to play in achieving an aggressive reduction in CO2\. However, the industry must evolve to adapt new technologies that increase sustainability, especially technologies that have been developed and demonstrated in other industries, such as the automotive sector. CHAMP (Clean Hybrid Alternative Marine Powertrains), led by Mathwall Engineering Limited, aims to demonstrate the potential performance that can be achieved with introduction of hybrid technology in recreational, defence and small to medium-sized commercial vessels. The project will develop and prototype key technologies, including the application of sustainable fuels, enabling rapid deployment of hybrid powertrains across these sectors. This approach provides a significant step towards zero emission capability. The project will also build the technology road map to deliver zero emission capability through follow-on steps. Mathwall Engineering has designed a unique architecture and control strategy that provides leading levels of sustainable operation, whilst allowing access to the high performance potential of a hybrid powertrain. The project aims to: 1) Validate the role of hybrid powertrains in marine markets, evaluating technical and commercial feasibility of our proposed architecture. 2) Develop, manufacture and demonstrate key technologies that enable deployment of a hybrid solution. 3) Support the design process with digital engineering tools and techniques, plus rig based validation, allowing programme timing to be significantly compressed. 4) Deliver a technical demonstration rib, validating project concept targets and attributes in a suitably challenging real-world setting. 5) Investigate and demonstrate an operational model, allowing a recreational boat club to deliver services in a carbon neutral environment. 6) Create a roadmap that helps industry achieve electric and zero carbon propulsion, including the commercial strategy for interfacing with global boat manufacturers and system integrators, enabling UK marine powertrain industry to position itself as the premiere supplier of technology and products for hybrid and zero emission marine solutions. CHAMP aims to build sovereign capability and position the project partners at the forefront of sustainable propulsion in marine applications.