INNOVATORS behind revolutionary solar technology for the shipping industry have unveiled a cutting-edge and ruggedised new model for a giant of the marine sector.

Anglesey and Manchester-based Grafmarine created a square Nanodeck tile – in addition to the current hexagonal shape – that will be tested in Caribbean waters by SMT Shipping, a worldwide leader in the movement of bulk cargo.

This will allow pieces to connect on a flat surface even easier, which in turn means the AI solar management system can capture, store, and remotely manage more clean energy.

Leaders in the international shipping market are working towards net zero, driven by customer demand, legislative changes, and global targets, and exploring ways to decarbonise their fleets.

Grafmarine Commercial Director Nigel Marc Roberts said this new partnership will make waves and give them a platform to further trial their cutting-edge technology, supporting those aims.

“Testing this latest model will allow us to use more conventional materials in a square model, which is simpler to manufacture, more powerful and considerably more cost efficient for the client,” said Nigel.

“We will of course still use recyclable ocean plastics and our ethos as a business is to be a pioneer in fully recyclable renewable energy, but this gives us scope to gather data that will feed into the production process.

“This latest version is really heavy-duty and ruggedised, it’s easy to repair, replace and recycle, so we are excited to see the results.”

Chris Russell, Engineering director of Grafmarine, said the new more ruggedised square panels will be produced alongside the hexagonal model, with a focus on different markets.

“The square is ideal for the hard-wearing, extreme conditions of the shipping industry while the hexagonal alternative is more aesthetically pleasing and attracting a lot of interest in the luxury super-yacht market,” he said.

“Both are game changers and will have a major impact on how clean energy is stored and managed at sea.

“The relationship we are building with SMT Shipping, alongside other connections and partnerships we’ve made over the last year, will help us to develop this technology even further and make a real difference to this industry for generations to come.”

Operating a fleet of more than 60 vessels, SMT Shipping is active in the Americas with self-loading and discharging bulk carriers, cement carriers in Europe and transhipment vessels in West-Africa.

With sites in Cyprus, Poland, the UK, Netherlands, Norway, and the US, the company has been a mainstay in the arena for more than 30 years.

Recognising the importance of decarbonisation, several years ago SMT Shipping started the ‘Towards Zer0’ programme to test new technologies that can be scaled up within the fleet.

“We’re thrilled to include the Nanodeck technology in our programme and offer Grafmarine a platform for this pioneering technology. We look forward to the test results and together with Grafmarine will investigate how these systems can be applied on our fleet,” they said.

For more information on SMT Shipping, visit www.smtshipping.com and follow them on LinkedIn @SMT Shipping and Instagram @smtshipping.

Visit www.grafmarine.com and follow Grafmarine on social media @grafmarineltd for the latest on Grafmarine.

GRAFMARINE secured a new partnership with a global leader in the decarbonisation of the international shipping industry.

Based in Manchester and Anglesey, Grafmarine is at the forefront of developing Nanodeck technology for the maritime sector.

The company has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Njord Accelerator to conduct a proof of concept, followed by a pilot installation which aims to fully explore the capabilities of solar tiles in the maritime industry.

Njord stands out for its role in enhancing the relationship between ship owners, charterers, vendors, and financiers. The organisation’s primary goal is to increase fuel efficiency of vessels, reduce their carbon footprint, and cut down greenhouse gas emissions.

Through this partnership, Grafmarine’s solar energy generation and management system, designed to capture, store, and manage clean energy at sea, in port, or at anchorage, will be validated.

Grafmarine has developed durable square panels and aesthetically pleasing hexagonal tiles that can be affixed to any vessel, showcasing its innovative approach to sustainable maritime technology.

Chris Russell, Engineering Director at Grafmarine, said: “Working with Njord is a privilege. Their guidance and support will be crucial as we refine Nanodeck technology.

“This collaboration not only marks a significant milestone in improving our product but also plays a vital role in introducing us to potential customers and partners within the maritime and shipping industries – it’s a pivotal step forward for us.”

Njord, headquartered in Denmark with a global presence, offers services including Technology Screening, Solution Design, Installation Partnership, and Njord Performance.

Steen Sander Jacobsen, Head of Technical at Njord, said: “At Njord Accelerator, we’re committed to supporting technology providers in advancing the green transition.

“Grafmarine’s solar tiles, known for their scalability, flexibility, and durability, represent a promising solution for the maritime industry. We’re excited about the potential this partnership holds.”

For more information on Grafmarine, visit www.grafmarine.com and follow @grafmarineltd on social media.

To learn more about Njord and its services, visit www.njordsolution.com.

GRAFMARINE is fostering global partnerships and creating innovative solutions to drive the marine sector’s circular economy.

The Anglesey and Manchester-based business has secured contracts for international shipping companies to trial its ground-breaking Nanodeck technology, an AI solar tile management system which can be attached to any flat surface to capture, store, and remotely manage clean energy.

Director and Founder Martin Leigh has also been in discussions with world-leading organisations to forge new relationships focused on sustainability in the marine sector, driving their long-term campaign for ‘fully recyclable renewable energy’.

It comes as Grafmarine was shortlisted for the Technology and Innovation Award at this year’s Mersey Maritime Industry Awards having also been a finalist in the Clean Maritime Energy Award category of the recent National Maritime SME Awards, held in London.

“To have been nominated for two such prestigious awards is a great honour, it builds confidence and demonstrates that we are moving in the right direction,” said Martin.

“The feedback we have had to this point has been very positive, the sector has been hugely supportive and the conversations we are having centre on sustainability, not just through our technology but as an industry working to create a lasting circular economy for generations to come.”

He added: “Our target is to become one of the first fully recycled renewable energy products before 2030.

“To achieve that we are looking to build new partnerships in our sustainability supply network. Grafmarine has already worked with the SMI Hub at Henry Royce Institute, looking at the full life cycle of our marine plastics, and we are now including the use of ocean plastic into our next prototype test before the end of 2023.”

The team has also been working in collaboration with The Circular Revolution – an academic research group specialising in the Circular Economy with Swansea and Exeter universities and Powys-based Riversimple – to hone its circular business model and identify further opportunities. The findings will be presented at an event in Cardiff later this year.

Grafmarine Commercial Director Nigel Marc Roberts said the drive towards net zero and lowering – and eventually eradicating – the company’s carbon footprint goes hand in hand with further development of its Nanodeck technology.

“There are so many avenues we can pursue, and so many ventures and projects at home and overseas we are engaged with,” he said.

“From the recycling of old fishing nets and developing new photovoltaics (PV) with partners in a bid to eliminate toxic waste, to the implementation of alternative ‘green’ materials, we will continue to engage with organisations across the world to make that happen while further developing our product, itself a game-changer for clean energy generation in the marine sector.”

Martin added: “It’s an exciting time for Grafmarine, we are working on a new, larger solar tile prototype that will be unveiled next year and are in discussions to manufacture in Wales from 2025 onwards.

“That’s our vision, things are progressing, and we are very determined to make it happen.”

For more information, visit the website www.grafmarine.com and follow Grafmarine on social media @grafmarineltd.

AN INTERNATIONAL shipping company will install revolutionary solar cells on its vessels to manage and store renewable energy following successful trials in Equatorial waters.

Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd, which operates a fleet of multi-purpose vessels from offices in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, signed a letter of intent with Anglesey and Manchester-based Grafmarine to utilise the cutting-edge NanoDeck AI Solar tile management solution.

The companies have worked in partnership over the last 12 months, providing Grafmarine with a marine vessel to test their NanoDeck technology, a solution which can be attached to any flat surface – in this case, a cargo ship – to capture, store and remotely manage clean energy generation via AI solar technology.

This included a return voyage from Scotland to West Africa, when the NanoDeck sent live data that gave both organisations a better understanding of how the equipment will withstand the rigours of a marine environment.

The first vessel to install this solution was the UAL Osprey, with plans to roll it out to multiple vessels when additional tests are successfully concluded.

Captain Simon Merritt for Carisbrooke Shipping said: “We are extremely excited to be the first trialling such innovative technology, which is already providing promising results. With further modifications and upgrades we hope Grafmarine will find a viable solution not only for Carisbrooke, but also the wider shipping industry to reduce their emissions and provide sustainable shipping above and beyond the goals set by the IMO (International Maritime Organisation).”

Crew on the vessel will support Grafmarine with basic maintenance and monitoring of the hardware and solar cells. They will be trained how to operate the system and access will be given to Grafmarine and partners to carry out assessments and collate results.

Grafmarine Commercial Director Nigel Marc Roberts said the collaboration will help support the IMO’s vision for a cleaner renewable power source to reduce the industry’s massive impact on the environment due to greenhouse gas emissions.

“Our tests with Carisbrooke demonstrated the technology does work and provided us with data that will allow us to improve the system further,” he added.

“Trialling it in Equatorial waters gave us a sense of how many efficiency gains can be made and has given us even more confidence in the Nanodeck as a clean, affordable, and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

“We thank Carisbrooke for their support and look forward to continuing the relationship.”

Grafmarine also has test locations in the Celtic Sea via the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapults (ORE) new test buoy at the Marine Energy Test Area (META), as well as a sustainable smart-port platform in the Port of Tyne and plans for further sites across Europe.

For more information, visit the website www.grafmarine.com and follow Grafmarine on social media @grafmarineltd.

You can also visit Carisbrooke Shipping for more news and information.

GRAFMARINE is testing revolutionary solar energy cells in Equatorial waters.

Based at M-SParc in Gaerwen, Anglesey, and Manchester, the company is piloting its NanoDeck AI Solar tile management solution in partnership with Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd, which operates a fleet of multi-purpose vessels from offices in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Grafmarine Director and Founder Martin Leigh said they have come up with a solution which will support the International Maritime Organisation’s urgent requirements for a cleaner renewable alternative power source to reduce the sector’s substantial impact on the environment due to greenhouse gas emissions.

“NanoDeck challenges the current reliance on fossil fuels by providing a clean and sustainable alternative renewable source of energy which can be attached to any flat surface – in this case, a cargo vessel – to capture, store and remotely manage clean energy generation via AI solar technology,” said Martin.

“It can be fitted to both new and existing vessels, helping the industry on its journey to decarbonise and meet future legislation, whilst further assisting in the global development of smart low-carbon ports.”

Commercial Director Nigel Marc Roberts added: “Our collaborative partnership with Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd will provide us with data that will further develop the system as we continue to forge new relationships in the US, Europe and Asia.

“The system offers unique and innovative ‘plug and play’ technology which enables it to be installed quickly at low cost and upgraded in line with technological advances without the need for large investment, making this a future-proof solution.

“We are excited about the future and look forward to commercialising our first NanoDeck system in 2024 with further investment and sea trials in the future.”

Grafmarine also has test locations in the Celtic Sea via the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapults (ORE) new test buoy at the Marine Energy Test Area (META), as well as a sustainable smart-port platform in the Port of Tyne. They are also reviewing trial opportunities in the Basque region of Spain, the Centre for Applied Ocean Technology Canada and the US-based (NREL) National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

A spokesperson for Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd said: “We are pleased to assist Grafmarine by offering them a test platform where their new NanoDeck solution can collect data during real voyages under differing weather conditions and latitudes.

“During the current voyage from Scotland to West Africa and back the NanoDeck has sent live data, enabling Grafmarine to make further improvements and efficiency gains whilst understanding how the equipment will withstand the rigours of the marine environment.”

For more information, visit the website www.grafmarine.com and follow Grafmarine on social media @grafmarineltd.