ABS approves Fleetzero marine battery system

The PDA confirms ABS has reviewed the Leviathan system for marine applications, supporting its use in future projects requiring class-verified battery technology. Built around LFP chemistry, the system operates at up to 1,000 VDC, offers a depth of discharge from 2% to 98%, and carries an IP67 rating.

Its modular, containerised design is intended to allow the system to be specified, deployed and replaced across different vessel types and applications, potentially giving shipowners and integrators greater flexibility as they adopt battery-electric and hybrid propulsion.

“As the industry works through the practical challenges of electrification, class-verified battery technology plays an important role in building confidence among owners and integrators,” said Gareth Burton, ABS senior vice president, Global Engineering.

“The PDA for the Leviathan system reflects the rigorous technical work required to bring a new marine battery solution to market safely,” he added.

The approval comes as maritime operators explore battery storage as a means of reducing fuel consumption and emissions from vessel operations. Fleetzero said the first commercial deployment of Leviathan is expected to enter service later this year.

The initial project will use 10 MWh of Leviathan battery capacity as part of a vessel’s wider conversion to hybrid-electric propulsion. The deployment will provide an early commercial application for the class-approved system and its modular approach to marine energy storage.

“This approval is the result of years of disciplined engineering and close collaboration with ABS,” said Steven Henderson, chief executive and co-founder of Fleetzero.

“The maritime industry needs proven, class-approved energy storage that is built on a safe, scalable chemistry,” Henderson said. “The Leviathan delivers exactly that, and we are putting it to work immediately.”

The PDA represents an important step towards wider deployment of battery systems in commercial shipping, where classification approval can help demonstrate that new technologies meet established technical and safety requirements.

Fleetzero’s use of LFP chemistry also reflects the growing focus on battery technologies designed to provide a balance of safety, performance and scalability for marine applications. The company expects the Leviathan platform to support a range of vessel electrification projects as demand for lower-emission propulsion technologies develops.