EST-Floattech supplied its Octopus battery system in a container for E-Pusher 1, the first electric pusher boat built in the Netherlands
Kotug International selected this containerised power unit to enable emissions-free cargo transport in inland and coastal waterways.
E-Pusher 1, built by Padmos Shipyard in 2022/23, transports cocoa beans for Cargill from the Port of Amsterdam to Zaandam.
EST-Floattech worked with Kotug, Sea and Shore, and Gebhard Electro to design and customise this Estrin-certified Octopus system with sufficient energy to power the propulsion and auxiliary systems.
This containerised solution, constructed by EST-Floattech at its new production facilities in six months, provides enough energy for E-Pusher 1 to make three return trips from Zaandam to Amsterdam, cutting emissions and noise pollution.
When at the Cargill facilities in Zaandam the Octopus container, with a capacity of 2 MWh, will be charged three times per week with green energy.
“Our partnership with EST-Floattech signifies our commitment to innovation and sustainability, leading the maritime industry towards a greener future,” said Kotug chief executive and president Ard-Jan Kooren.
“With the world’s first fully electric pusher boat, we are setting a new standard for emissions-free maritime transport.”
EST-Floattech commercial director Walter van der Pennen acknowledged this newbuild involved “seamless collaboration” with partners and was a “groundbreaking project”.
In March, Kotug outlined plans to build more of these E-Pusher vessels in small, medium and large sizes at Padmos, with energy production and storage solutions, low and zero emissions, signifying they could be powered by containerised batteries from EST-Floattech or other suppliers.
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