GAMMA Project in the news
Kjartan Due Nielsen, Innovation manager at Verkís, was recently interviewed by Morgunblaðið, where he discussed the GAMMA project.
In times where climate change and reducing carbon footprints are key concerns, Verkís is at the forefront with the GAMMA project, aimed at supporting the energy transition in maritime shipping. The project, funded by the European Union, focuses on developing and implementing technological solutions that allow the use of green fuels instead of fossil fuels in cargo vessels. In collaboration with 16 companies and research institutions across 11 European countries, Verkís leads the way in creating sustainable solutions for the future.
Kjartan stated that the goal of GAMMA is not only to prove that it is technically possible to use e-fuels in maritime shipping but also to create a business model that makes it feasible for companies to transition to this technology. By developing and testing solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in maritime shipping, this project could serve as a beacon for other future projects.
An excerpt from the interview can be found below, but here is the full article:F2024-09-14
The Long Lifespan of Ships Slows Down the Energy Transition
With projects like GAMMA, the maritime shipping sector is making important changes towards a more sustainable future, says Kjartan. “The energy transition has already taken place in other industries, such as automotive manufacturing and the energy sector, but maritime shipping has been slower in this regard. One of the reasons is that cargo ships are extremely expensive, have a long lifespan, and finding cost-effective ways to replace fossil fuels without affecting the ships’ operations and efficiency has not been easy. The GAMMA project focuses on developing solutions that use green fuel without sacrificing the performance of the vessels. This means companies can participate in the energy transition without facing long-term financial losses, especially considering that carbon taxes in this sector will increase significantly in the coming years and decades. Additionally, the necessary infrastructure development in ports and harbor areas must support this transition, where the role of the government and municipalities will be crucial.”
Increased Cooperation Between Governments and Businesses
Given that the GAMMA project is an international collaboration spanning 11 countries, it also serves as a good example of how states and companies can work together on solutions with a global impact. The GAMMA project team includes companies and institutions from countries such as Norway, Italy, Germany, and Iceland, all contributing to developing greener maritime shipping solutions. “Cooperation between nations and companies is key to achieving success,” says Kjartan, noting that the GAMMA project demonstrates that technical infrastructure, funding, and political will must align to implement realistic energy transitions. “Such international cooperation also fosters faster innovation and progress, as participants learn from each other and share knowledge. We are also very interested in leveraging the knowledge and experience from the project to initiate a domestic project that promotes energy transition in Iceland, whether at sea or on land, with the involvement of all stakeholders.”
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