EST-Floattech’s Octopus High Energy batteries to power 15 new river cruise vessels

EST-Floattech will supply its Octopus High Energy battery systems for a series of 15 new river cruise vessels, under a contract with Dutch system integrator Van Tiem Elektro. Each vessel will carry 650 kWh of battery capacity, putting the order at 9.7 MWh. EST-Floattech describes it as one of its largest river cruise contracts to date.

The vessels are being outfitted at De Gerlien van Tiem in Druten and at Vahali Shipyards in Ghent, for a group of cruise operators that includes AmaWaterways and Uniworld. The ships will sail the Danube and the Black Sea region.

Onboard, the Octopus High Energy systems will support partial electric sailing, hotel load and emergency backup power. The platform pairs EST-Floattech’s in-house cell and module technology with a String Controller for MODbus integration into a vessel’s existing systems. The line uses lithium NMC cells in 10 kWh modules, according to EST-Floattech’s product page. It holds type approval from five marine classification societies: DNV, Bureau Veritas, Lloyd’s Register, the American Bureau of Shipping and RINA.

Partial electric sailing means battery power covers part of a route rather than the whole trip, and generators carry the rest. Hotel load is the power a vessel’s cabins, galley and HVAC draw independently of propulsion. Battery capacity can cover part of that demand at berth without running generators.

Van Tiem Elektro, based in Wamel, already knows the Octopus platform from earlier tankers and river cruisers, including the Solara and the Astara.

Charged reported on EST-Floattech’s order to supply Octopus Lite battery systems for six Arklow Shipping cargo vessels in 2025.

“We’ve worked together before, and that long-term relationship, combined with their knowledge of our Octopus platform and their expertise in system integration, made this a natural next step in the river cruise market for both companies,” said Marinus van der Putte, Sales Manager at EST-Floattech.

Outfitting yards across Europe are fully booked, according to EST-Floattech. Work on the first hulls in the series has begun, and final deliveries are scheduled through 2030.

“This is one of the largest electrification projects we’ve taken on: 9.7 MWh across 15 vessels is a real step forward for sustainable river cruising, and we’re proud to be delivering it,” said Maarten Soetekouw, Co-Owner of Van Tiem Elektro. “EST-Floattech’s Octopus platform is a system our engineers already know well, and that experience gives us real confidence on a project of this scale.”

Source: EST-Floattech