EST-Floattech ready to accelerate electrification in inland shipping: Octopus Series complies with renewed ES-TRIN

Inland shipping is at a crossroads. With various requirements for emissions, zero-emission zones and customer expectations that are forcing the sector to accelerate. Among others, the Dutch government recognizes this and wants to give it a push in the right direction with subsidies including for electrification. We have believed in completely emission-free inland shipping for years now. More than 100 ships sailing on European inland waterways with EST-Floattech

For ships sailing on European inland waters that do not have a specific certificate, the European Inland Waterways Regulation (ES-TRIN) applies. ES-TRIN explicitly refers to two international standards for lithium-ion battery systems:
IEC 62619 – safety requirements for industrial lithium-ion batteries
IEC 62620 – performance and characterization criteria (performance, markings, etc.)

Together, these standards form the basis for the safe use of battery systems on board. The emphasis used to be on functional testing (e.g., does the system shut down in the event of a fault), qualifications at the design level of the battery system are added. For example, cell voltages are measured via a primary channel and an independent safety channel. Based on this, SIL levels (Safety Integrity Levels) are determined, which objectively demonstrate that the design achieves a high level of safety.

EST-Floattech was already certified before these stricter requirements came into force. At that time, the emphasis was mainly on functional testing. With the new IEC requirements, the bar has been raised. That is why we have engaged an independent research institute to carry out the risk assessment and draw up the complete design evidence in accordance with the IEC 62619 and 62620 requirements and SIL methodology. We are therefore proud to announce that, in addition to the official tests according to ES-TRIN, our battery systems now also comply with the revised international IEC standards 62619 and 62620.