Damen Shipyards Group has signed a cooperation agreement of understanding with Skoon Energy to further accelerate the development of sustainable shipping solutions.

The agreement is set to combine Damen’s 90 years of experience in the shipbuilding and related sectors with Skoon’s vision of making the shipping industry fully electrical.

Skoon is primarily involved in the large-scale electrification of ships’ propulsion by managing a battery-sharing network and strategically located charging hubs with a complete supply of clean energy.

The startup company has developed a set of swappable battery packs named Skoonboxes, which are scheduled to be tested on-board a diesel-electric inland vessel later this year.

As part of the new collaboration, Skoon will get access to Damen’s experience in complex, international shipbuilding projects, and its global commercial network.

Damen chief commercial officer Arnout Damen said: “We know from long experience that collaboration, sharing knowledge and ideas, is a crucial factor in stimulating innovation and encouraging improved sustainability.

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“Skoon Energy’s idea has quickly attracted the imagination of our industry.

“Their focus on improving the environmental performance of the shipping industry is one that is entirely aligned with our own ambitions and we’re anticipating an excellent partnership as we work together to make large-scale electric ships’ propulsion a reality.”

Damen has experience in the construction of several hybrid, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fully electric-propelled vessels that seek to make the shipping industry more sustainable.

Damen Shipyards Gorinchem has recently announced that it would coordinate the NAVAIS programme, in collaboration with Netherlands Maritime Technology (NMT).

Funded by the European Commission (EC), the NAVAIS programme is designed to improve sustainability in shipbuilding and maintain Europe’s position in complex vessel construction.

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