Damen Partners with Clean Energy Startup

Damen Shipyards Group has signed a cooperation agreement of understanding with clean energy startup Skoon Energy to further advance the energy transition underway in the shipping industry.

Skoon was founded in 2017 by Daan Geldermans and Peter Paul van Voorst, two students of the Delft University of Technology. The company focusses on the large-scale electrification of ships’ propulsion via management of a battery sharing network and strategically located charging hubs with a 100 percent clean energy supply. Skoon Energy’s swappable battery packs, known as Skoonboxes, are planned for trial aboard a diesel-electric inland vessel later this year.

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. 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.”

The Dutch based shipbuilding group has been involved in a number of projects geared toward improving the sustainability of its product portfolio. Recent examples include numerous hybrid, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fully electric propelled vessels.

Skoon Energy founder, Peter Paul van Voorst, said, “With this partnership Damen is demonstrating its commitment to enabling sustainable solutions within the maritime industry. We’re looking forward to working together with Damen to make fully electric shipping the norm within the maritime industry.”