EST-Floattech to supply battery systems for Arklow Shipping’s general cargo ship pair

The Netherlands-based energy storage system provider EST-Floattech has been commissioned to supply its battery systems for a new series of environmentally friendly general cargo vessels set to be constructed at a Dutch yard.

As disclosed, EST-Floattech is to deliver its Octopus Lite battery solution for the 11,000 dwt sextet that will be built by the Dutch Ferus Smith Shipyard for Arklow Shipping, a maritime transport player operating out of Ireland and the Netherlands.

The handover of the first cargo ship is reportedly planned for next year, while the final unit is anticipated to be completed in 2029.

According to officials from EST-Floattech, the company worked together with Ferus Smith and the vessels’ electrical systems provider Eekels Technology to engineer the system so that it could fit the sailing profile of the ships. The result of this partnership is hoped to result in energy/performance gains for Arklow Shipping.

As informed, the battery systems are going to support a set of onboard functions, such as grid stabilization during sailing. In addition to this, support is to be provided for loading and offloading operations (especially when the unit’s electric excavator is deployed), among other things.

What is more, the Octopus Lite BESS system is projected to supply power for the bow thruster and, in doing so, allow for zero-emission port stays. Specifically, per EST-Floattech, the solution could ‘improve’ overall efficiency and lower carbon dioxide (CO2) as well as other emissions across the ship’s entire operational profile.

EST-Floattech’s Octopus series solutions, which are described as compliant with the regulations set by classification societies like Italy’s RINA, France’s Bureau Veritas (BV), the UK’s Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Norway’s DNV, have been selected by a number of shipping companies since last year.

In April 2024, for example, UK shipbuilder Coastal Workboats tapped the company to provide the 2400 kWh Octopus High Energy for an electric-landing utility vessel (E-LUV) and a 1.200 kWh version of the solution for a shore-based power supply system (SPSS).

In May of that same year, EST-Floattech was contracted by Wight Shipyard to provide its Octopus Series battery systems for two vessels—the Mars Clipper and Cross River Ferry—owned by Thames Clippers.