The British shipbuilding company Coastal Workboats, renowned for its sustainable ship construction, has recently announced a partnership with Dutch energy storage expert EST-Floattech. The collaboration aims to develop battery technology for a new electric cargo ship.
This joint initiative will involve Coastal Workboats constructing an Electric-Landing Utility Vessel (E-LUV) at its shipyard in Stornaway, situated on the Western Isles of Scotland. Meanwhile, EST-Floattech will supply the vessel’s battery system and provide shore-based charging technology.
The project has been made possible through a £6m grant from the UK government as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.
The E-LUV, resulting from Coastal Workboats’ successful grant bid, is poised to become the UK’s inaugural electric commercial work vessel. It is designed to function as both a Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) and dry cargo transportation ship. The vessel’s initial operations will revolve around a twice-daily ferry service in close proximity to Coastal Workboats’ base in Stornaway, Scotland, with voyages lasting approximately 45 minutes between West Burrafirth and Papa Stour in the Shetlands.
Moreover, EST-Floattech will supply 1,200 kWh of the Octopus High Energy battery system in a 20-foot container to cater to the vessel’s charging requirements.
The partnership also entails collaborating with MJR Power & Automation and Renew Marine to install shore power technology, with potential plans to incorporate the technology onboard the ship to increase its battery-powered range.
Jelle Meindertsma, from EST-Floattech, expressed pride in contributing towards reducing emissions in the UK maritime industry and highlighted the shared commitment between the two companies in promoting sustainable, high-performance energy solutions for the future.
Luke Parnell, the Chief Engineering Manager at Coastal Workboats, emphasized the safety aspect of the collaboration, specifically applauding the Octopus Series for its safety features and passive heat dissipation system, which represents a significant advancement in maritime safety.
The partnership between Coastal Workboats and EST-Floattech signifies a significant step forward in the maritime industry’s transition towards more environmentally responsible practices.
In conclusion, the collaborative efforts of these two companies bring a renewed sense of hope for a greener and more sustainable future for the maritime industry in the UK.