Damen Shipyards and start-up company Skoon Energy have signed a cooperation agreement of understanding for the advancement of energy transition in the shipping industry. Skoon Energy, which focusses on the large-scale electrification of ships’ propulsion via management of a battery sharing network and strategically located charging hubs with a totally clean energy supply, will trial its swappable battery packs – known as Skoonboxes – aboard a diesel-electric inland vessel later this year. Peter Paul van Voorst, founder of Skoon Energy, said: “With this partnership Damen is demonstrating its commitment to enabling sustainable solutions within the maritime industry. We’re looking forward to working together with Damen to make fully electric shipping the norm within the maritime industry.” Damen CCO Arnout Damen added: “Skoon Energy’s idea has quickly attracted the imagination of our industry. Their focus on improving the environmental performance of the shipping industry is one that is entirely aligned with our own ambitions and we’re anticipating an excellent partnership as we work together to make large scale electric ships’ propulsion a reality.”