A US-based start-up, Fleetzero, has developed a battery system that can power container ships without local emissions. The eight-tonne battery containers, which are secured against shocks and vibrations and have an integrated fire protection system, are housed in a standard container. Fleetzero’s lithium-iron-phosphate batteries are said to be safer and more durable than other battery technologies. The company plans to launch its first ship, the OXV-3, powered by the system next year. The battery containers have a capacity of 8 MWh, and a ship carrying 1,500 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU) would require around 100 battery containers for a 30-hour journey at 12.5 knots.
Fleetzero is also planning a global exchange system, allowing ships to swap their empty batteries for charged ones in ports. Alternatively, a tugboat with batteries on board could supply empty battery containers with power if an exchange was not possible. The developers of the battery container say that an electrified propulsion system is mechanically simpler than a conventional combustion engine, making maintenance easier. The ships would also no longer need tanks for fuel and ballast water, allowing them to carry more containers. Fleetzero’s ships would not need to take on ballast water, which is necessary for conventional ships to compensate for the weight loss caused by consumed fuel.
Fleetzero was founded by two graduates of the US Merchant Marine Academy in New York State. The company has built a prototype of the battery container in Alabama and is awaiting regulatory approval. If approval is granted, the first ship powered by Fleetzero’s technology is expected to set sail in mid-2023. The shipping industry is responsible for around 3% of human CO2 emissions, and the development of this battery system could help to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.
In conclusion, Fleetzero’s battery system has the potential to revolutionize the shipping industry by providing a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional combustion engines. The company’s global exchange system could also help to reduce the environmental impact of shipping by ensuring that ships always have access to charged batteries. If the technology proves successful, it could pave the way for a greener future for the shipping industry.
