The EU grant, amounting to EUR 11,989,875, was awarded under the Horizon 2020 program of the European Commission.

In particular, the three-year project proposes an advanced lithium-ion cell designed for water-borne transport, using novel production techniques that allow a consistent reduction in costs relative to current market prices.

The ultimate objective of the Current Direct project is to build and demonstrate, in an operating environment at the Port of Rotterdam at TRL7, an advanced interchangeable waterborne transport battery system and Energy as a Service (EaaS) platform that facilitates vessel rapid charging, fleet optimization and novel business models.

Almost a quarter of Europe's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are produced by the transport sector.

Dirty diesel engines propel the vast majority of water transport in Europe. Current Direct seeks to allow rapid adoption to reduce greenhouse emissions by cutting the cost of today's marine battery electric drivetrains in half and relieving ship owners of the burden of capital expenses.

As explained, the EaaS network of Current Direct would enable shipowners to speed up their participation in the shift to clean energy while creating new business opportunities for shipyards and local entrepreneurs. Current Direct has the ability to create a modern energy economy by reforming the paradigm for acquiring and storing energy aboard vessels, adding thousands of new jobs.

In addition, Wärtsilä will build modular battery containers and charging infrastructure and services that will be accredited by Lloyd's Register according to creative standards.

The project will culminate with a demonstration in Rotterdam by Kotug of the New Direct battery, shore charging, and asset management network.

Maritime Business World