AYK Energy, HSG ink agreement for zero emission container vessel

AYK Energy, marine battery manufacturer company, has signed a new deal with Holland Shipyards Group (HSG) to supply the zero-emission container vessel, FPS Waal with new equipment.

According to Chris Kruger, founder of AYK Energy, the contract will see AYK supply two high-density DNV-approved Aries 88 lithium batteries to the vessel.

He also confirmed the 125-watt hour/kilogram (Wh/kg) batteries will be installed on Future Proof Shipping’s FPS Waal, which is the second inland container vessel in the FPS fleet to be retrofitted, following the FPS Maas.

In addition, the FPS Waal’s retrofit involves its diesel engine being replaced with a propulsion system consisting of PEM fuel cells, hydrogen storage, AYK’s battery packs and an electric drive train.

Once complete the FPS Waal aims to be powered by green hydrogen with around 1,200kW of installed power and a cargo capacity of 200 TEUs.

“Our next move is to set up manufacturing centres in the United States and Europe in 2024. If we can secure the right volume of orders, we estimate we can drive costs down significantly, kickstarting a significant uptick in electric powered vessels and other marine battery applications including port facilities and aquaculture,” stated Kruger.

Kruger added that AYK has nine different battery types which can be used on a wide range of vessel types and applications from high power to high energy.