The HYBA project to develop a working testbench using Lorient fishing vessel Naoned has completed its first phase with encouraging results.
The collaborative HYBA project launched in 2023 and the initial phase using instrumentation on board indicates opportunities to reduce fuel consumption by 22-25% and NOx emissions by as much as 40% while achieving further gains or around 5% through gear optimisation.
The project is an initiative led by CRPMEM Bretagne with Armement Apak and Vectura System.
Based on these results, CRPMEM Bretagne has committed to leading the second phase of the project. The 23-metre Naoned, owned by APAK and built in 1999, will be the test vessel for this, with a complete refit planned for late 2026-early 2027, followed by documented sea trials in 2027.
Investment in the HYBA phase 2 project is estimated at €2.3 million, including €1.3 million in research and development, €700,000 in works, and €300,000 in vessel downtime.
According to CRPMEM Bretagne, funding is well underway and should support significant decarbonisation of French fishing vessels.
A central part of this venture is the development of the EcoBoatTwin tool, which is gradually generating a 3D model of fishing vessels.
Four existing vessels are undergoing 3D digital modeling, and energy simulation to standardise and hybrid re-outfitting, optimising costs, lead times, and quality. These are two trawlers operating in the English Channel, from two different shipyards, and two trawlers in the Mediterranean, also from two different shipyards.
Analysis of the results and and preparation for the concept to be rolled out to other vessels is predicted for 2027.
