Students from Yıldız Technical University became world champions with a solution they developed for shipping fleets required to reduce carbon emissions under new regulations enacted by the International Maritime Organization. The concrete project, which can be directly integrated into commercial fleets, impressed the jury: “Are you professionals in the industry?”

Yıldız Technical University’s Stars of Hydro Team took first place at the HydroContest Retrofit Challenge 2026 competition held in France with their high-engineering project designed to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency in commercial ships. Based on International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards, the project offers a sustainable model applicable to the maritime sector by preventing over 30,000 tons of carbon emissions annually.

The global carbon challenge

Maritime transport, the backbone of global trade, is subject to the stringent Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rules implemented by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Reducing carbon emissions is seen as a major challenge for companies operating in this sector. The risk that existing ships failing to meet emission thresholds will face restrictions and high taxes in international waters is forcing the maritime sector to rapidly modernize (retrofit) its current fleets rather than wait for the construction of new ships costing billions of dollars. 

Acting to address this global crisis demanding urgent solutions and in line with Turkey’s national maritime policy goal of producing value-added technology, the YTÜ Stars of Hydro Team has presented a practical solution for shipowners and shipyards through its eco-friendly approach.

Converting waste heat back into energy

Founded in 2017 under the YTÜ Ship and Maritime Club, the Stars of Hydro Team represented Turkey at the HydroContest Retrofit Challenge 2026, one of the world’s most prestigious student and industry gatherings in the maritime sector. In this competition, which focuses on the modernization (retrofit) of existing ships in line with global climate goals, the YTÜ team conducted a comprehensive engineering study based on a real commercial container ship with a capacity of 17,554 TEU. Based on the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) criteria established by the IMO for ships, the team designed a Waste Heat Recovery System (WHR-ORC) that converts exhaust heat emitted from the ship’s main engine into energy.

It achieves a 28% fuel savings

During the process, energy-saving devices such as the Mewis Duct and PBCF were integrated into the system to reduce hydrodynamic losses around the propeller. Engineering calculations based on the Wageningen B-Series, supported by combustion efficiency optimizations on the main engine and biodiesel usage scenarios, resulted in a 28% reduction in the ship’s annual fuel consumption. The developed model upgraded the ship’s CII environmental performance rating from category “D” to category “B,” while also preventing over 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually during operations.

Engineering approach impressed the jury

In an international platform where concrete projects capable of being directly integrated into commercial fleets competed, the YTÜ team stood out with its technical infrastructure. Team captain Hümeyra Zehra Tedik and project members Yiğit Gün, Nilsu Okur, Rauf Samet Kankoç, Adil Celil Cantürk, and Akif Satılmış delivered a detailed technical presentation to the jury.

Among finalists from around the world, the professional approach demonstrated by the Turkish students garnered such high praise that jury members asked the team, “Are you currently working professionals in the industry?” As a result of the evaluations, Stars of Hydro left their competitors behind and finished the competition in first place.

Turkey’s shipyard potential meets academic vision

Turkey, which holds a central position in the global shipbuilding and repair market for maintenance, repair, and retrofit applications, has demonstrated on the international stage—through this success achieved by YTÜ students—that it can produce not only labor but also qualified engineering solutions in the sector.

Rather than waiting for new ship construction, such retrofit projects—which enable the rapid modernization of existing fleets—not only enhance shipowners’ market value in the charter market but also directly align with Turkey’s national maritime policy goals of exporting value-added services.

"Flying the Turkish flag was an indescribable source of pride for us"

Stars of Hydro Team Captain Hümeyra Zehra Tedik emphasized that their team focuses on autonomous marine vehicles and energy efficiency, highlighting the long-term nature of their work. Expressing that they have steadily climbed the ranks on the international stage, Tedik said, “We crowned our journey, which began in Switzerland at the HydroContest, with a world championship title in France.” 

Adil Celil Cantürk, a member of the project team, discussed the technical details of the work, noting that they implemented critical modifications such as waste heat recovery and propeller redesign. Highlighting the direct impact of the developed system on the ship’s classification, Cantürk emphasized the project’s efficiency by stating, “Thanks to these modifications, we upgraded the ship’s CII class from Level D to Level B.” He also noted the system’s environmental benefits, adding, “This enabled us to reduce carbon emissions by over 30,000 tons annually on the ship.”

Akif Satılmış, the team’s Marketing Unit Leader, highlighted the importance of representing Turkey at such a prestigious event, noting that they had brought Turkey’s rich maritime history back to the global stage. Pointing out that winning first place created an indescribable feeling, Satılmış shared his joy, saying, “Flying the Turkish flag there and representing Turkey was an indescribable source of pride for us.” Emphasizing the importance of institutions that believed in them on the path to success, Satılmış said, “We would like to thank everyone who supports Turkish youth and Turkish engineers, and we want to remind everyone that this is just the beginning.”

We wholeheartedly congratulate our Stars of Hydro team, who have brought pride to our country and our university on the international stage. We will continue to support such sustainable projects brought to life by our young engineers’ innovative vision and take pride in their achievements.