The former Deputy Shipping Minister and founder of VisionDo Advisory Limited Vassilios Demetriades has joined the crew of Project Full Circle, the round the world powerboat record attempt.
Vassilios Demetriades, will make the announcement today (Tuesday 21st May) that he is the project’s Global Ambassador and that he is also joining the Board of the Advanced Fuel Development, the company behind the revolutionary hybrid-fuel that will power the project.
The announcement is being made ahead of the Limassol Boat Show, as Project Full Circle and Advanced Fuel Development confirm they are moving to Cyprus and will be headquartered in Limassol Marina.
Alistair Thompson the Managing Director of Full Circle and Advanced Fuel Development commented: “Vassilios knowledge of the global shipping industry, the environmental challenges the world is facing along with his passion to make a lasting impact on the greening of shipping through meaningful reduction of emissions made him the ideal candidate to drive both companies to the forefront of the world’s shipping problems and we are looking forward to working alongside him and like-minded businesses in Cyprus. We are confident that Cyprus can become the world’s leader in the reduction of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from ships”.
Project Full Circle is a multi-million euro bid to design and build the fastest and most fuel-efficient semi-wave slicing powerboat to circumnavigate the globe for the much-coveted UIM world record, currently 60 days 23 hours 49 minutes.
The superboat is a completely new design from Professor Bob Cripps, former Technical Director of VT Halmatic. It was designed in the UK and constructed out of marine-grade aluminium. It encompasses “an exceptionally efficient hull”, which will cut fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent and brings together more than a dozen leading European companies, to showcase their latest marine products.
In addition to the vessel’s innovative design, Project Full Circle has joined forces with Advanced Fuel Development to showcase a revolutionary hybrid fuel – a mixture of MGO, 35 per cent water and an emulsifying agent, which then uses patented technology to inject hydrogen into the mixture. This creates a fuel that dramatically cuts harmful emissions and meets the IMO’s 2030 standards, without any loss of power. Importantly this technology can be used on almost any diesel engine, with only minor modifications, potentially delivering a game changing moment in the marine industry’s quest to cut pollution.
Notes to editors:
Project Full Circle – powered by Advanced Fuel Development
Project Full Circle is a multi-million euro bid to design and build the fastest and most fuel-efficient semi-wave slicing powerboat to circumnavigate the globe for the much-coveted UIM world record, currently 60 days 23 hours 49 minutes.
Boat specifications:
- Length – 80 feet
- Internal beam – 13 feet
- External beam – 19 feet
- Drai – 30 inches
- Material – Marine grade aluminium, including nearly 12km of framing
- Hull thickness – 8-10 mm
- Build weight – 24.8 tonnes
- Range 4,000 nautical miles
- Engines –Fiat Power Train
- Jets –Castoldi
- Lighting – Glamox
- Shais – Vulcan
- Navigation – Raymarine
- Satellite and communications – Starlink
VASSILIOS DEMETRIADES PROFILE
Vassilios DEMETRIADES served as Shipping Deputy Minister to the President of the Republic of Cyprus from July 2020 to February 2023. During his tenure, the strategic vision for Cyprus Shipping “SEA change 2030” was formulated, promoting an extroverted approach and a new philosophy, and working structure within the Shipping Deputy Ministry.
He demonstrated leadership at global and EU level in effectively responding to crises (COVID-19 and Ukraine war) taking charge of key actions to enable safe crew changes, formulating, and implementing a national vaccination plan to cover 40000 seafarers, facilitating a fast-track process for seafarers affected by the war in Ukraine to open bank accounts and access their salaries. He put forward a number of incentives and funding programs aiming to decarbonize shipping and was actively involved in the formulation of a broad and diverse set of actions required to achieve emissions reduction targets at EU and IMO level. During his tenure Cyprus’ Blue Economy was further developed through the formulation of Cyprus’ Maritime Spatial Plan.
During the same period a maritime passenger link between Cyprus and Greece was reinstated, after a 21-year hiatus, providing alternative connectivity through an effective framework of public subsidy.
Vassilios placed great emphasis to the young generation creating a culture for seafaring and blue studies
and professions through innovative and interactive campaigns and initiatives.
Prior to his appointment he served as a Policy Officer in the European Commission coordinating the EU
maritime transport strategy and EU’s external maritime transport relations. He was previously involved in the formulation of EU sustainable shipping initiatives and he has also served the EU as a Member of
Cabinet of Commissioner Vassiliou in the formulation, communication and implementation of EU policies on education and vocational training.
He has formerly served the Cyprus Public Administration as the Head of EU Affairs Unit at the Cypriot
Ministry of Transport formulating Cyprus’ national position to the EU on transport, telecommunications, shipping and integrated maritime policies and he was in charge of the overall coordination of the Cyprus Presidency to the EU pertaining to these areas.
Vassilios served as the first Maritime Counsellor of Cyprus to the EU, from Cyprus accession to the EU in 2004 until the end of 2008, representing Cyprus to the EU in the fields of shipping, intermodal transport and networks, EU Integrated Maritime Policy, EU Space Policy, Global Navigation Satellite Systems.
For more information:
Vassilios LinkedIn page
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vassilios-demetriades-1172331/
Full Circle Website:
https://www.fullcircle.internaKonal/
Advanced Fuels Website:
https://www.advancedfueldev.com/
For more information contact:
alistair@teambritanniapr.com