The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Houston, and Fleetzero, Houston, have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at advancing containerized battery systems for maritime applications.
Under the agreement, the two organizations will collaborate to explore the technical requirements for containerized marine battery systems, with a focus on design, onboard arrangements, testing methods, and quality control procedures. The effort is intended to support safe adoption of new commercial battery approaches as operators look to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.
“ABS provides industry leading guidance to support the adoption of marine battery systems. The next step is overcoming key barriers to deployment, most notably the constraints of energy density compared to conventional fuels and the associated safety challenges,” said Michael Kei, vice president of technology at ABS. “We are proud to join Fleetzero in this effort to explore new approaches with safety as our guiding principle to support new energy efficiency technologies for the industry.”
Fleetzero said its containerized battery concept is designed to address both energy density and safety considerations while offering a modular option for vessel operators exploring hybrid-electric or fully electric propulsion.
“Fleetzero is proud to partner with ABS on innovative containerized battery solutions, delivering unprecedented energy density for marine use while improving safety standards,” said Steven Henderson, CEO and co-founder of Fleetzero. “Through this agreement, we look forward to sharing our expertise to inform the advancement of industry standards, paving the way for Fleetzero to establish the new technology benchmarks needed to accelerate zero-emission shipping at a cost competitive with diesel.”
ABS noted that the work aligns with its broader efforts around alternative power sources, including hybrid and all-electric technologies. The society highlighted that its ABS Global Electrification Center, based in Singapore, supports electrification projects for shipowners, shipyards, and other maritime stakeholders worldwide.
