EST-Floattech partners with Wight Shipyard Co. and will install the Octopus Series battery systems on two vessels, the Mars Clipper and a Cross River Ferry. The vessels will operate on the river Thames for Thames Clippers.
Wight Shipyard, an aluminium shipbuilder in the UK, has selected EST-Floattech‘s Octopus Series for its exceptional energy efficiency and reliability. The decision underscores the yard’s commitment to sustainable technology for the maritime sector. Wight Shipyard specialises in high speed ferries, retrofits, and planned maintenance of vessels and is located on the Isle of Wight. The ferries will become part of the fleet for Thames Clippers.
Also read: EST-Floattech supplies batteries for Landing Utility Vessel
Mars Clipper
The Mars Clipper is a high-speed passenger catamaran ferry. This ferry, part of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, will have 480 kWh of high energy batteries on board. The vessel has a hybrid design, which allows the Mars Clipper to operate solely on batteries on the Thames, in the most central zone of the city. This is between the Tower Bridge and the Battersea Power Station piers.
The technology is not reliant on shore-based charging, with the new boats using excess power from the bio-fuel engines to re-charge their batteries for the Central London stretch.
Also read: EST-Floattech wins EUR 4 million in funding to further electrify shipping
Cross River Ferry
The Cross River Ferry, will be supplied with 960 kWh of the Octopus Series battery system. Thames Clippers have been operating a cross river ferry service for over twenty years. The current infrastructure is reaching end of life and creates an opportunity to develop and operate an enhanced, all electric, zero emission, roll-on/roll-off ferry replacement.
The new ferry is to allow automated docking to reduce journey times and an increased capacity on the craft for foot and cycle passengers. Thanks to the Octopus Series battery system, the vessel will sail quietly over the Thames and will be one of the most quiet vessels ever seen in the passenger boat industry.
Both energy storage solutions from EST-Floattech will not only limit emissions, but also limit exhaust fumes during the routes of these commuter services in London.
Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition
The Zero Emission Cross River Ferry is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 3 (CMDC3), which was announced in September 2022, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. As part of the CMDC3, the Department allocated GBP 60 m to nineteen flagship projects supported by 92 UK organisations to deliver real world demonstration R&D projects in clean maritime solutions. Projects will take place in multiple locations around the UK from as far north as the Shetland Isles and as far south as Cornwall.
Jelle Meindertsma, sales manager at EST-Floattech: ‘This collaboration with Wight Shipyard is another milestone towards zero-emission sailing for the maritime industry. The application of our battery system on board the Cross River Ferry and Mars Clipper also shows the potential of the Octopus Series energy storage solution in low-weight vessels and contributes to no fumes in densely populated areas.’
Picture (top): The Mars Clipper (by EST-Floattech).
Also read: EST-Floattech battery powers world’s first CO2-neutral event vessel
