Wattlab, the Netherlands-based maritime solar energy specialist, is taking a major step in decarbonizing shipping. Following successful pilot projects and its first full-scale installation on the seagoing vessel Vertom Tula, the company is now scaling its Solar Flatrack solution for the international bulk shipping market.
Currently, Solar Flatracks can be deployed on vessels up to the Supramax segment, with development underway for larger Panamax and Capesize bulk carriers.
“With this step, we show that solar power at sea is no longer an experiment, but a working solution,” says Bo Salet, CEO and co-founder of Wattlab.
From Pilot to Practice
The Solar Flatrack system was first tested on the Vertom Anette, in collaboration with Dutch research organization TNOand shipping company Vertom. Lessons from this pilot informed the installation on the Vertom Tula, where 44 Solar Flatracks now reduce around 20% of the vessel’s onboard hotel load.
The project received co-financing from the European Union’s Just Transition Fund (JTF) as part of the EU Green Deal’s push toward climate neutrality by 2050.
“We gained insights on technical usability, crew operation, and seaworthiness, which allowed us to significantly upgrade the Solar Flatrack system,” adds Salet.
Designed for Operational Flexibility
Wattlab’s solution addresses a key concern for shipowners: deck cargo operations. The Solar Flatrack system allows panels to:
- Stay in place during loading and unloading
- Be easily disconnected and stacked if required
- Be stored compactly within a single 20-foot container footprint
As a result, vessels retain full operational flexibility without compromising solar power deployment.
Scaling to Larger Bulkers
Wattlab’s current Solar Flatracks are compatible with coasters and Supramax vessels, particularly those with foldable or stackable hatch covers. Based on these results, development has begun for Panamax and larger bulk carrier classes.
“Market interest is growing rapidly. We’ve already engaged with more than 200 international partiesinterested in applying Solar Flatracks across their fleets,” says Salet.
Driving Decarbonization and Regulatory Compliance
Solar Flatracks reduce fuel consumption, cutting CO₂ emissions and improving compliance with regulations such as FuelEU Maritime, EU ETS, and key performance indicators like CII and EEXI. By lowering dependence on fossil fuels, the system also offers a financially viable solution, with an expected ROI of 3–5 years.
Independent validation by TNO confirms the system’s performance, energy yield, and cost-effectiveness. With installations already on more than 30 vessels worldwide, including the BRF Froan for Berge Rederi, Wattlab is proving that solar power is a scalable solution for both existing and new vessels.
“We aim to accelerate the maritime sector’s transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy through solar technology,” says Salet.
About Wattlab: Founded in 2017, Wattlab delivers fully integrated solar solutions for seagoing and inland vessels. The company made history in 2024 when HGK’s MS Helios became the world’s largest solar panel installation on an inland vessel, with 312 panels.
Website: wattlab.nl
