en.Wedoany.com Reported - Dutch maritime technology company Wattlab has launched the WEstack, a standardized battery system for inland vessels, available in four capacity options that can reduce diesel generator runtime by up to 90%.
The WEstack is assembled and tested at Wattlab's workshop before delivery, requiring only one day for onboard installation, whereas custom marine battery systems typically take weeks. The system is installed on the stern deck and is suitable for both new builds and retrofits of various inland vessel types, ranging from dry cargo ships to tankers and small coastal freighters.
The system offers four standardized capacities: 100 kWh, 200 kWh, 300 kWh, and 400 kWh. Wattlab notes that generators on inland vessels often operate at 10% to 15% of their capacity, which the company considers highly inefficient, as generators consume a disproportionately high amount of fuel under low loads.
The WEstack is designed to allow the generator to run at optimal output to charge the battery, after which the battery handles most of the vessel's electrical load. Wattlab states that the system aims to reduce generator runtime by 80% to 90%, thereby lowering fuel consumption, reducing maintenance costs and CO₂ emissions, and minimizing noise and vibration onboard.
Wattlab says the standardized design makes the system less expensive than custom solutions and enables faster production and installation, offering shipowners a more affordable and scalable alternative.
Bo Salet, founder and CEO of Wattlab, noted that port access requirements are also driving interest in battery systems. He said an increasing number of ports are seeking to limit emissions and noise, and the WEstack allows vessels to operate on battery power for extended periods without exhaust emissions, reducing reliance on shore power.
Founded in 2017, Wattlab built its reputation by installing large-scale solar systems on inland vessels, including setting a Guinness World Record in 2024 for the largest solar panel installation on an inland vessel aboard the MS Helios. Its technology has been applied to over 30 vessels worldwide. The company has also developed the Solar Flatrack, a modular solar system for seagoing ships. Salet stated that alternative fuels will remain scarce and expensive for the foreseeable future, and energy efficiency is what the company sees as the fastest and most economical way to reduce emissions in the shipping industry.
Last year, Wattlab delivered a solar system for HGK Shipping's Blue Marlin, an 86-meter inland dry cargo vessel operating in the canal network of northwestern Germany. The company claims this is the first inland vessel capable of hybrid solar navigation, with solar power directly driving propulsion. The company has also signed a contract to install a solar system on the BRF Froan, described as the world's largest zero-emission battery-electric bulk carrier, which is expected to enter service this year.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
