Rotterdam-based technology company Wattlab has introduced its new WEstack battery system, specifically designed for inland shipping vessels. The company states that this standardized solution addresses the high costs and lengthy installation processes typically associated with conventional marine battery systems. The WEstack unit is fully assembled and rigorously tested at Wattlab's workshop before delivery. Once onboard a vessel, the system only requires connection, drastically cutting installation time from several weeks to just a single working day.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this development could signal a move towards more efficient and potentially greener inland transport options. Reduced installation times mean less vessel downtime for upgrades, which can improve overall supply chain reliability and reduce operational costs for carriers. As inland shipping increasingly adopts electrification, forwarders might see more stable transit times and potentially lower fuel surcharges on certain routes, contributing to more predictable logistics planning.
