A project involving swappable batteries has the potential to significantly affect tanker CII ratings and pave the way for a new retrofit solution, as reported by Riviera.
Retrofit conversations
Foreship, a ship design and engineering company, is playing a significant role in retrofit conversions in the maritime industry. As part of the EU Current Direct Consortium project, Foreship is leading the development of specifications and supporting requirements for a swappable battery container system for inland vessels. The ambitious project aims to reduce water transport emissions in Europe by approximately 482,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents per year. The objective is to electrify European inland waterway vessels by utilizing swappable battery containers that can be easily recharged with renewable electricity at designated hubs. The scalability and learning curve associated with retrofitting processes are crucial factors in achieving zero-emissions shipping.
Swappable batteries
Foreship’s Joonatan Haukilehto emphasizes the advantages of batteries in the tanker sector, noting their versatility in various sizes and applications. Depending on the proportion of propulsion and auxiliary services operating on battery power, the size of the battery can vary significantly. Batteries are beneficial for handling peak loads, offering instant power to thrusters and serving as a spinning reserve to prevent onboard blackouts during critical manoeuvres. Swappable batteries present an intriguing solution for tankers struggling to meet CII ratings A, B, and C. This technology has the potential to power electric cargo pumps when shore power is unavailable, enabling compliance with emission regulations. In ports where generator shutdowns are imminent or in efforts to reduce carbon emissions during cargo handling, swappable battery containers can extend the operational life of tankers with borderline CII C ratings by several years.
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Source: Riviera
