Dutch maritime solar innovator Wattlab has completed the delivery of a seaworthy solar energy system for Vertom, a global shipping, trading, and maritime services company. The system was installed on the newly built MV Vertom Tula, a 7,280 dwt diesel-electric multipurpose cargo vessel, marking a major milestone in sustainable short sea shipping.
Wattlab’s installation includes 44 Solar Flatracks, designed to power onboard systems and reduce up to 20% of the vessel’s hotel load. The panels were produced and assembled at Wattlab’s new facility in Rotterdam and installed within a single day in the Port of Harlingen, thanks to the system’s quick container twist-lock fittings.
“For shipowners, time and space are money,” said Bo Salet, co-founder and CEO of Wattlab. “The Solar Flatracks can be quickly removed and stacked on the footprint of one 20-foot container, offering both flexibility and efficiency. We are grateful to Vertom for their trust and collaboration over the past three years, and to the EU’s Just Transition Fund for co-financing this project.”
Vertom, which operates over 100 vessels, tested Wattlab’s technology in two pilot projects before deciding to equip the Vertom Tula entirely. “The system proved reliable in tough coastal conditions,” explained Thomas van Meerkerk, Business Development Manager at Vertom. “It delivers a clear contribution to reducing emissions and shows a positive return on investment.”
Independent validation by TNO, the Dutch research organisation, confirmed the system’s CO₂ reduction and ROI performance, with a full report to be published soon.
