BlueNose Technologies
Installing retrofit structures on ships which allow a reduction in fuel consumption thanks to improved aerodynamics.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| investor | €0.0 | round | |
* | N/A | Early VC | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
BlueNose Technologies, a climate-tech company headquartered in London, was established in 2022 by Léon Grillet and Joë Sangar. The firm is focused on the maritime sector, developing solutions to decrease fuel consumption for container ships.
The inspiration for BlueNose Technologies came from the 2020 International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations, which mandated a reduction in sulphur oxide emissions. Recognizing that the maritime industry accounts for 3% of global CO2 emissions, the founders aimed to address this environmental challenge. The venture began as a student project while co-founder Léon Grillet was pursuing his MA in Innovation Design Engineering at the Royal College of Art (RCA). Following his studies, he and Joë Sangar continued to develop the business with support from InnovationRCA, the university's incubator.
Léon Grillet, the CEO, has a background in both engineering and business, with master's degrees in Engineering Design from Imperial College and Energy from Mines Paris – PSL. Joë Sangar, the CTO, is a specialist in maritime engineering with advanced training in fluid dynamics and AI from École Centrale de Nantes and PSL University.
The company's core offering is a retrofittable aerodynamic structure for container ships designed to reduce air-drag. BlueNose utilizes AI-driven design and Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis, leveraging real ship data to create custom, lightweight structures that integrate with a vessel's existing profile without causing operational disruptions. This technology is engineered to deliver a fuel efficiency improvement of 3-5%, which could prevent up to 3,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per ship annually. The business model serves ship owners by helping them lower operational costs, reduce their carbon footprint, and adhere to international environmental regulations such as CII, EEXI, and MARPOL Annex VI. In June 2024, the company secured funding from the RCA Design & Innovation S/EIS Fund, managed by the Royal College of Art and Infinity Asset Management LLP, to advance to the next stage of development.
Keywords: maritime technology, climate-tech, fuel efficiency, aerodynamic retrofits, container ships, CO2 reduction, shipping emissions, fluid dynamics, AI-driven design, sustainable shipping, vessel optimization, air drag reduction, MARPOL compliance, InnovationRCA, Léon Grillet, Joë Sangar, Royal College of Art, maritime engineering, green shipping, cleantech