Decarbonizing Marine Operations in Remote and Harsh Environments
DEME Challenge #1
The Challenge
DEME operates a global fleet in complex offshore environments - from dredging to energy infrastructure. Reducing vessel emissions is critical to our decarbonization strategy, but conventional solutions are often not viable at sea.
We’re seeking innovative fuel alternatives and propulsion technologies that can reduce COâ‚‚ emissions across our fleet while remaining cost-competitive and globally deployable.
Onboard Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage (CCU & CCS) could be one of the interesting solutions to decarbonize our fleet on short term.
What we're looking for
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Fuel efficiency: Technologies that reduce fuel consumption or increase output per unit consumed.
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Alternative fuels or engines: Scalable, low-carbon propulsion solutions that can displace or complement fossil fuels.
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Onboard renewable energy: Renewable energy generation or wind-assisted propulsion that can supplement energy use at sea.
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While technologies like selective catalytic reduction (SCR) have been piloted, the next frontier lies in carbon capture and storage (CCS) or carbon capture and utilisation (CCU):
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Innovative CCS/CCU technologies that can be integrated onboard vessels or project-based installations.
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Compact, modular CCS/CCU systems that can function in offshore or marine environments with limited storage and energy availability.
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End-to-end solutions or building blocks: from COâ‚‚ capture to storage, conversion, or delivery to shore.
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A clear roadmap to reach TRL 9 within 3–5 years.
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Ability to quantify emissions reductions (e.g. % COâ‚‚ saved per voyage).
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Cost-competitive with current marine fuel solutions (on €/MWh or €/ton COâ‚‚ saved basis).
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Practical to implement on existing or newbuild DEME vessels.
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Product market fit to be demonstrated.
Must-haves​
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CCS/CCU:
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Technically feasible for use on space- and weight-constrained vessels.
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Cost-effective relative to the emissions it captures and the space it occupies.
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Globally applicable including potential for COâ‚‚ handling/storage infrastructure across different geographies.
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Proven impact and verifiable emissions reduction potential.
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Globally applicable (not limited to niche ports, suppliers, or climates).
Nice to have
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Modular and retrofittable design.
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Complementary to digital energy optimization systems.
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Already piloted in in maritime, logistics, or other mobile/off-grid settings.
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A solution that enables valorisation (e.g. use of captured COâ‚‚ in new materials or energy carriers).
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Flexible system design allowing scale-up or adaption across different vessel types.
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The solution is still in the early lab stage or lacks deployment pathway.
Not a fit
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It is only port dependent.
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It depends on infrastructure that is not available globally.
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It depends on infrastructure that is not available globally.
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There’s no real-world performance data or clear cost-benefit analysis.
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Emission reduction claims cannot be backed by data or a clear model.
Ideal Applicants
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Scaleups, engineering firms, or clean tech companies with advanced maritime or transport solutions.
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CCS/CCU: Startups or scaleups with expertise in gas separation, capture chemistry, or emissions systems.
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Teams with operational experience in deploying tech in real-world marine environments.
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Decarbonizing Marine operations will be an industry-wide challenge with collaboration across the entire supply chain. Ideal applicants are companies ready to co-develop with existing supply chain, resulting into pilots offered to or together with a leading global marine contractor.
What Succes looks like
A fuel alternative, hybrid system, or onboard energy solution that can be deployed across our global fleet, reducing emissions significantly (e.g. 30–50%) and reliably — with a clear roadmap to full operational maturity within 3–5 years.
CCS /CCU: A compact, cost-effective CCS or CCU system that can operate on DEME’s vessels - capturing a significant percentage of COâ‚‚ emissions and either storing or transforming it, with a roadmap to real-world deployment and measurable impact within 3–5 years.
The Challenger
DEME (Euronext Brussels: DEME) is a leading contractor in the fields of offshore energy, environmental remediation, dredging and marine infrastructure. DEME also engages in concessions activities in offshore wind, marine infrastructure, green hydrogen, and deep-sea mineral harvesting. The company can build on nearly 150 years of experience and is a front runner in innovation and new technologies. While DEME’s roots are in Belgium, the company has established a strong presence across all the seas and continents worldwide. Our vision is to contribute to a sustainable future by providing solutions to global challenges: climate change, a growing population and urbanization, increasing maritime trade and environmental challenges. With a team of more than 5,800 skilled professionals and a fleet of over 100 specialized vessels, DEME is equipped to deliver innovative solutions to help build a better, livable world.