Hydrogen powered barges

The company is a part of the innovative FPS Maas retrofit project from Future Proof Shipping (FPS) and Holland Shipyards Group (HSG), where HSG builds or retrofits the ships and FPS, as a zero-emissions shipowner, offers sustainable marine transportation services.

“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 onboard in this challenging project, through our partners at Oechies. We look forward to a constructive partnership in battery technology, not only during delivery and integration but also during our operations,” said Fokke van der Veen, director operations, Future Proof Shipping.

Zero-emissions barges

With the retrofit of the Maas, FPS is en route to build and operate a fleet of ten zero-emission inland and short-sea vessels. For HSG, the refit of the Maas is part of its ambition to work towards a greener and more sustainable shipping industry.

For this project, Dutch system integrator Oechies chose EST-Floattech’s Green Orca System which will power the vessel’s new hybrid H2-electrical propulsion engine.

Back in August, FPS Maas made its final journey on an internal combustion engine on diesel from Belgium to Rotterdam. The container ship is currently at Holland Shipyards Group in Werkendam ready for retrofit.

During the last quarter of 2022, the diesel propulsion system will be replaced with hydrogen technology, removing both the main engine and gearbox and installing a new modular propulsion system.

This will consist of electric motors, hydrogen tanks, a fuel cell system and an EST-Floattech battery system with a capacity of 504 kWh. EST-Floattech’s DNV-certified Green Orca system will be used for peak shaving, secondary and bridging power. In the Green Orca system, many hard and software fail-safes are implemented to ensure safe and long-time operation of the batteries.

Following its retrofit, FPS Maas will resume shipping container cargo between Rotterdam and Antwerp.