Having made its last journey on a diesel internal combustion engine in August 2022, the FPS Maas is to be fitted with a hybrid H2-electrical propulsion engine in a Future Proof Shipping and Holland Shipyards Group (HSG) project.
Dutch system integrator Oechies is also part of the FPS Maas project and has selected EST-Floattech as a collaborative partner that will provide its Green Orca, 504kWh capacity battery system for the vessel upgrade.
With the vessel now at HSG’s facility in Werkendam in the Netherlands, the retrofit will begin in the fourth quarter of 2022. The polluting diesel propulsion system will be swapped for a modular hydrogen alternative comprising electric motors, hydrogen tanks, a fuel cell system and EST-Floattech’s battery system.
EST-Floattech’s batteries are DNV certified and will be used to enable peak shaving and secondary and bridging power. Hardware- and software-based failsafes have been implemented within the battery solution to ensure it functions safely and reliably.
Upon re-entering service, the FPS Maas will undertake container cargo operations between Rotterdam and Antwerp.
“We are pleased that after previous successful collaborations Oechies contacted us again and chose the robust Green Orca System,” said Walter van der Pennen, commercial director of EST-Floattech. “We are determined to contribute to a more sustainable world. Through the delivery of these batteries, we support reducing emissions of the marine industry using hybrid propulsion systems.”
“EST-Floattech is one of the few that can deliver the battery power required for the FPS Maas and we are pleased to have them on board in this challenging project, through our partners at Oechies,” said Fokke van der Veen, director of operations at Future Proof Shipping. “We look forward to a constructive partnership in battery technology, not only during delivery and integration but also during our operations.”