About HYDRUS ENGINEERING SA
- Hydrus Engineering S.A., founded in late 2009, has pursued a growth trajectory that has established it as a leader in its field. Headquartered in the northern suburbs of Athens, the organization delivers comprehensive and integrated solutions across the maritime, energy and defence sectors. It maintains rigorous quality management systems and employs a highly skilled workforce, enabling it to continuously innovation and adaptability, offering services and solutions tailored to address the challenges of energy efficiency, decarbonization, comprehensive asset management and digitalization. The organization has extended its international presence with a strategic coordination desk in Shanghai, which oversees its operations in the Far East, and an office in Limassol to manage activities in the Middle East. The continuous growth and expansion over the years has been supported by a dynamic and growing ecosystem of affiliated entities, enhancing, and diversifying the service portfolio of Hydrus Engineering S.A.
- The organization operates mainly in three sectors, which are maritime, defense and energy. In the maritime sector Hydrus is a trusted leader, providing expert consultation and a comprehensive suite of tailored, integrated solutions for new building, ship design, repair, conversion, and retrofit projects. The respective divisions within HYDRUS specialize in transforming concepts into reality, utilizing the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) approach to deliver full-spectrum engineering solutions that meet rigorous maritime standards. Depending on the type of project, HYDRUS expertise can extend to meticulous procurement processes and robust construction management. With dedicated on-site supervision, HYDRUS ensures each project is executed with precision, adhering to the highest standards of quality and safety. Committed to leveraging the latest technological advancements, our organization is dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency and delivering superior results that advance the maritime sector.
- The maritime department has three divisions, which are the new-building, the marine and the technical. Integral part in the heart of the technical division is the “Innovation Hub” which represents the driving force behind HYDRUS commitment to advancing sustainable practices and cutting-edge technology within the industry. This dedicated R&D team is tasked with developing and executing projects in areas critical to future energy and environmental standards, including sustainable alternative fuels, digitalization, decarbonization, and innovative technology. Positioned at the heart of the organization’s strategic planning, the Innovation Hub plays a pivotal role in aligning the research efforts with market demands. By cultivating deep technical know-how and expertise, the team not only enhances our service offerings but also reinforces our leadership position in the market. This forward-thinking approach ensures that we stay at the forefront of industry advancements and continue to deliver state-of-the-art, sustainable solutions.
- Hydrus Engineering through Innovation Hub has the role of the coordinator in the NH3CRAFT project.
Meet the Experts Driving NH3CRAFT Forward
- Alexandros Giannakis / Senior Engineer
Alexandros Giannakis is a highly skilled and motivated Mechanical Engineer (Meng), working during the last 6 years in HYDRUS ENGINEERING SA in the role of Innovation Hub Senior Engineer. He holds an MSc in Renewable Energy Systems awarded by the University of Strathclyde and has an MBA from the University of Economics and Business in Athens. Alexandros has extensive experience in the maritime sector, currently leading the technical aspects of several R&D and EU funded projects related to alternative fuels and waterborne transportation decarbonization. Main projects that Alexandros is currently involved in, include NH3CRAFT, LH2CRAFT, which HYDRUS coordinating and leading as engineering partner, as well as several endeavours towards shore side electricity implementation.
Alexandros Giannakis has a crucial role within NH3CRAFT spanning from administrative tasks (organization and leading of Project management meetings, input for the software tool in WP5 and to the LCA in the WP10) to pure technical tasks (deliverables composing, 3D/2D design). More specifically, Alexandros has been heavily involved in the desktop studies and demonstrator vessel concept design (WP2), the auxiliary systems development (WP4), the demonstration and testing (WP6) and to the risk and safety workshops (WP7).
Konstantinos Sykaras / Senior Engineer
Konstantinos Sykaras has been working in the technical department of HYDRUS ENGINEERING SA since October 2019 and while he became a member of the Innovation Hub sub-team of the technical department in June 2022. He is a graduate of the School of Mechanical Engineering at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh). He began working at the Laboratory of Machine Elements and Machine Design at AUTh and after three years continued his work experience in the marine engineering environment. Based on his extensive experience in the analysis and design of constructions and modifications on ships, he is now actively involved in coordinating and executing the technical aspects of NH3CRAFT, LH2CRAFT and SAFeCRAFT research projects, which HYDRUS is coordinating and leading as engineering partner. In parallel, he is also engaged in preparing and submitting funding proposals for new research projects in the fields of shipping, new technologies, and energy.
Konstantinos Sykaras has an important role within NH3CRAFT ranging from project management tasks (leading of Project management meetings, input for the software tool in WP5 and to the LCA in the WP10) to solely technical tasks (deliverables composing, 3D design and 2D technical drawings). More specifically, Konstantinos has been heavily involved in the desktop studies and demonstrator vessel concept design (WP2), the tank containment systems development (WP3), the demonstration and testing (WP6) and to the risk and safety workshops (WP7).
- Ioannis Gergis / Engineer
Ioannis Gergis has been working in the technical division of HYDRUS ENGINEERING SA during the last 5 years and has been a member of Innovation Hub, sub-team of technical division, almost one and a half year now. He has graduated from the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at National and Technical University of Athens (NTUA). Leading and participating in several vessel related retrofit projects, he is experienced in technical execution including designing and analysis of various engineering aspects. NH3CRAFT and SAFeCRAFT are the main projects, which HYDRUS is coordinating and leading as partner, that Ioannis is now mainly involved executing plenty of technical tasks.
Ioannis, within NH3CRAFT, is involved to a great extent in the desktop studies investigation both for tank design related aspects (WP3) and for auxiliary systems implementations through various vessel cases (WP4).
- Astrinos Papadakis / Innovation Hub Project Manager
Astrinos Papadakis is a Mechanical Engineer, working in HYDRUS ENGINEERING SA for more 6 years. During the last 3 years he holds the position of Innovation Hub Manager, leading a team of 8 engineers and being responsible for the Project Management and Coordination of all Research/Development/Innovation activities of the company (Horizon Europe projects, CEF projects, EDF projects, Greek State research projects, etc.). Astrinos also acts as the Project Coordinator in 4 Horizon Europe projects being coordinated by HYDRUS with a focus on alternative fuels implementation in waterborne transportation.
Astrinos Papadakis acts as the Project coordinator of NH3CRAFT being the responsible person for the smooth execution of the project and the contact point with the European Commission side.
- Iason Vlavianos / Officer
Iason Vlavianos has been working at HYDRUS ENGINEERING SA since March 2023 as an Innovation Hub Officer, responsible for coordinating and managing technical research projects, as well as preparing and submitting funding proposals for new research projects in the fields of shipping, new technologies, energy, and port infrastructure, among others. He has been working in the shipping industry and research projects in the sector since 2020, gaining significant experience in their coordination and management at both national and European levels. He is a graduate of the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and holds a Master’s degree (MSc) in Environmental Health Management from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA).
Iason Vlavianos is responsible for the project’s administrative and technical coordination, being heavily involved in all managerial, financial, communication and dissemination aspects of ΝΗ3CRAFT from the side of the project coordinator.
How HYDRUS ENGINEERING SA is Powering NH3CRAFT’s Success
[WP1 project management] – HYDRUS is the project coordinator ensuring effective management of the project with emphasis on meeting the EC requirements.
[WP2 Demonstration Implementation plan and evaluation criteria] – HYDRUS has contributed to the following two pillars:
- At first to the definition of the desktop studies and to the relevant designs that will be further evaluated within WP3 and WP4 level.
- At second level to the determination of the demonstrator vessel, through the identification of limitation and restrictions set by tank manufacturers (EKME and CNV), classification societies (RINA, ABS) and vessel owner (CSM). Moreover, the conceptual design has been evaluated from risk and safety aspects through HAZID workshop, leading to the determination of the conceptual design necessary modifications.
[WP3 Engineering design process for the tank storage systems] – HYDRUS has significantly shaped the tank containment system from the conceptual stage to the detailed engineering stage for the demonstrator vessel. The detailed design drawings have been reviewed and approved by ABS within WP3. Also, the design of the tank containment system for the desktop studies has been developed up to a pre-front-end engineering design stage.
[WP4 Engineering design process for the auxiliary systems] – HYDRUS has significantly contributed to the auxiliary systems design from the conceptual stage to the detailed engineering stage for the demonstrator vessel. The detailed design drawings have been reviewed and approved by ABS within WP4. Also, the auxiliary systems design for the desktop studies has been developed up to a pre-front-end engineering design stage.
[WP5 digital integration and virtual demonstration] – HYDRUS had significantly contributed to the development of the design tool in the form of a software system, which incorporated crucial components and findings related to the tank containment system and auxiliaries system and as a result allows the end-user to perform simulations and receive preliminary solutions at the conceptual level.
[WP6 assembly, installation and functionality testing of system] – HYDRUS with the assistance of the relevant partners have worked hard on the final demonstration arrangement and the successful integration of the ammonia storage tanks and necessary auxiliaries. Relevant technical specifications have been prepared to the standards of a competent shipyard and brought to the necessary form for implementation.
[WP7 Safety & Risk assessment] – HYDRUS through the various stages of the design has assisted in the quantitative and qualitative risk assessment performed by TWI and UoS in the form of workshop (HAZID/HAZOP/FMEA/QRA). Also, the results and findings of these workshops, except from the design improvements, led to the identification of gaps and safety assessment guidelines relative to the onboard usage of ammonia as fuel.
[WP8 Assessment of operational and modularity characteristics] – HYDRUS in this task contributed to the definition of the modularity and scalability aspects of NH3CRAFT with respect to the design of the tank containment system and respective auxiliaries.
[WP10 LCA, technical assessment and KPI based evaluation] – In terms of WP10, HYDRUS has contributed in the LCA and LCCA studies in the form of information sharing based on the considerable experience in the maritime sector.
[WP11 Dissemination, Exploitation and communication] – HYDRUS has created the initial exploitation plan of NH3CRAFT, which paved the way for the final exploitation plan. Moreover, HYDRUS has contributed in various ways in the dissemination and communication material providing input in various ways, such as the website, the poster, the banner and relevant posts made through the communication platforms.
NH3CRAFT is a Co-funded by the European Commission Project. UK participation in NH3CRAFT Project is funded by UK Research and Innovation(UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe guarantee [grant numbers 10038548 and 10037828].
