Major Greek owners partner with MIT and industry on nuclear and alternative fuels

A group of major Greek shipowners has joined forces with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and key industry stakeholders to launch a maritime consortium focused on modernising the commercial fleet through cutting-edge interdisciplinary research.

The MIT Maritime Consortium was founded by Evangelos Marinakis-led Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp (CCEC), South Korean shipbuilder HD KSOE, and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

Angeliki Frangou-headed Navios Maritime Partners, John C. Hadjipateras-backed Dorian LPG, UK-based Foresight Group, and the Singapore Maritime Institute have joined as innovation members.

The consortium, which is co-led by the MIT professors Fotini Christia and Themis Sapsis, will focus on new designs for nuclear systems tailored to the needs of commercial shipping and the economic and environmental feasibility of alternative fuels. It will also explore data-driven algorithms for autonomous platforms, cyber-physical situational awareness, anomaly detection, and 3D printing technologies for onboard manufacturing.

The consortium will launch several research projects to address challenges from various angles, all driven by advanced data analysis and computational techniques. 

MIT, a global leader in ship research and design for over a century, has made significant contributions to hydrodynamics, ship structural mechanics, propeller design, and overall vessel engineering. 

Notably, two of the participating Greek shipowners, Capital Maritime and Navios Maritime Partners, are also co-founders of the Maritime Emissions Reduction Centre (MERC) in Greece, alongside other prominent shipping companies, with the aim of reducing GHG emissions within the shipping industry.

Aiming for transformative change

Commenting on this new collaboration, Prof Christia emphasised that the challenges faced by the maritime industry cannot be addressed by any single company or organisation alone. Prof Sapsis added that the consortium aims to leverage MIT’s expertise in key areas for commercial shipping, including nuclear technology, autonomous operations, and AI methods. 

ABS chairman and chief executive Christopher J. Wiernicki said, "Long term, the consortium hopes to provide the gravity we will need to bend the curve to reach emissions objectives."

CCEC chief executive Jerry Kalogiratos highlighted that the consortium will drive transformative change, fostering innovation and paving the way for a more sustainable future. The gas carrier giant aims to contribute to the development of enhanced AI-driven models and technological solutions.

HD KSOE chief technology officer Chang Kwangpil added, "We aim to set global technology standards and spearhead the development of next-generation eco-friendly ships that are both cost-efficient and dependable."