Dutch firm Wattlab has installed a solar energy system on Vertom’s new 7,280 dwt vessel, MV Vertom Tula.
The setup includes 44 Solar Flatracks, providing 79 kWp of power and reducing about 20% of the ship’s hotel load.
After testing the system on two pilot vessels, Vertom chose to fit its latest ship with the full setup — the first time a seagoing vessel has done so.
The panels were built in Rotterdam and installed within a day in Harlingen.
“For shipowners, time is money, so speed and ease of use are important,” said Bo Salet, Wattlab’s co-founder and CEO.
Vertom’s Thomas van Meerkerk said the system performed well and can help cut CO₂ emissions while giving a good return on investment. Dutch research group TNO has confirmed the results.
The project was partly funded by the EU’s Just Transition Fund and has been nominated for IBJ environmental awards.
Wattlab will display the panels at Europort in Rotterdam next week.
