PORTATHON 2024

International Port Technology Hackathon
27-29 September

The Port of Klaipeda Authority has recently expanded its services, now offering crew transfers by boat, diver services, and bathymetric surveying. However, the current process for requesting and managing these services is inefficient and complicated, involving multiple manual steps that slow down operations and reduce efficiency:

A customer initiates a service request via email inquiry → A sales representative checks availability of the services and responds with an application form → The customer completes the form and submits it with advance payment confirmation → The sales representative notifies the relevant internal department to reserve the necessary vessel → The customer coordinates directly with the vessel crew → The crew fills documents about the time spent and fuel used → The sales representative consolidates the data into the internal document management system → Accounting generates an invoice based on the compiled documentation.

The goal is to simplify and improve this workflow by developing a web-based platform. The Port of Klaipeda Authority is seeking a solution – a digital platform that enables customers to directly book services during available time slots, receive automated, detailed reports (including vessel tracking on a map, time spent, and fuel usage), and automatically obtain generated invoices. By streamlining these processes, the platform will elevate the quality of the port’s services, simplify existing procedures, and improve overall operational efficiency.

More information: www.portofklaipeda.lt. The Port of Klaipėda is actively striving to become a sustainable port with high added value and significant economic and social benefits for the city and the country.

As the demand for alternative fuels in the shipping industry continues to rise, ports around the world are confronted with the significant challenge of being able to supply sufficient energy to meet the needs of green ships. These environmentally friendly vessels, powered by sustainable energy sources, require ports to adapt their infrastructure to accommodate new types of fuel, such as hydrogen, ammonia, biofuels, and electricity.

What we are seeking are innovative ideas and practical solutions for how green fuel can be effectively stored, produced, and distributed within port facilities. The focus is on small-scale production methods that can be efficiently integrated into existing port operations, as well as the development of robust distribution networks to ensure that green fuel is readily available to ships when they arrive. Additionally, solutions should explore advanced bunkering processes that allow for the quick, safe, and efficient transfer of these alternative fuels to vessels, minimizing downtime and supporting the rapid transition to greener maritime practices.

Goal:

The goal is to develop a tool that assists shipowners in assessing the environmental and economic impacts of ship conversions or new builds, particularly during the design phase. This tool will enable users to analyze different sustainable shipping technologies, such as CO2 capture or alternative fuel systems, and assess their financial impact, including compliance with the EU ETS.

Scope:

• Scenario Design: The tool will simulate potential ship improvement scenarios such as fuel conversion, battery implementation, and CO2 capture.

• Software Development: The software will model these scenarios’ effects on emissions, particularly focusing on how they influence compliance with the EU ETS.

• Cost Calculation: It will also calculate and compare the cost of carbon allowances versus the financial impact of ship conversion, helping shipowners make informed decisions.

Relevance:

The maritime industry faces increasing pressure to reduce emissions while managing operational costs. This tool will provide critical support for shipowners, helping them comply with the EU’s ambitious climate goals while balancing financial considerations. With tightening regulations and rising costs for emissions allowances, such a tool is crucial for future-proofing operations and encouraging investments in sustainable technology.

Background:

From January 2024, the EU ETS was expanded to cover all ships over 5,000 gross tonnage entering EU ports, irrespective of their flag. Under this system, shipping companies must purchase emissions allowances for voyages to, from, and within the EU. It starts by covering 40% of emissions in 2024, ramping up to 100% by 2026. Additionally, while the system initially covers only CO2 emissions, it will include methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from 2026.

A green hydrogen plant is planned to be built in 2026 on the territory of the Port of Klaipėda at 40 Nemuno Street, Klaipėda.

The electrolysis of water will be carried out in plants called electrolysers, which use electricity to split water into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2).

The planned economic activity includes the installation of a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM).

The planned plant is to be equipped with polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. The electrolyser has a capacity of 1,25 MW. The planned annual hydrogen production capacity is approximately 127 430 kg/year.

The production process is preliminarily estimated to generate a waste heat of 210 kWh Begin of Life (BoL) to 440 kWh End of Life (EOL) (per hour of maximum plant operation).

Goal:

The aim of this challenge is to find a way or technology to utilise the excess heat generated in the production of green hydrogen.

More information: www.portofklaipeda.lt.

Offshore wind farms are likely to become more common in coastal areas and enclosed seas. These farms have an electricity supply infrastructure that can be tailored to power vessels with the energy generated by the turbines, even when the wind is not blowing. This development is a significant step toward reducing pollution from ships on long-distance journeys, particularly those within 200 nautical miles from shore or above the continental shelf and in the Baltic Sea.

It envisions a future where offshore wind farms (OWF) are the main source of electricity for battery-powered ships during long-distance voyages. This could significantly reduce pollution and transform the use of OWF. The rapid growth of offshore wind development reflects the high priority of decarbonization on governmental and regulatory agendas, particularly in the shipping industry. The high efficiency of an electric propulsion system, with a potential loss of only 10%, is driving its adoption for various vessel types.

Ignitis Renewables is looking for technical concepts and solutions for adapting OWF to supply electricity to ships. By providing solution, teams need to consider these factors:

i) assessment of what aspects and factors would promote the use of an electricity supply from OWF for ships;

ii) technical concepts and solutions to adaptation OWF to supply electricity to ships. Note: there is no need to assess the OWF and Port’s servicing vessels (SOV, CTVs, Tugboats, Pilot boats, etc.).

More information: https://curoniannord.com/

Maritime trade is crucial for linking our economies on a global scale. Seaports are the doors to the world for coastal states. However, there is no open database on seaports covering their infrastructure details and economic performance. In this challenge, teams develop web scrapers that first create an overview of major seaports including their infrastructure, and collect related information from company websites and news in a second step.

Note: As a starting point, teams might use the UNLOCODE database and/or map services such as Google maps or OpenStreetMaps.

In today’s fast-paced world, large city events attract thousands of participants, highlighting the need for efficient, real-time attendance data collection. This challenge invites participants to develop innovative, data-driven solutions for collecting and analyzing statistical data on participant numbers at major events in Klaipėda. Using tools like mobile apps, GPS, RFID, Wi-Fi tracking, and more, teams are encouraged to design systems that accurately track attendance, monitor crowd movement, and provide valuable insights for event organizers. The goal is to create a scalable, data-based approach to enhance event management, safety, and the overall participant experience.

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