ABS has issued a product design assessment (PDA) to Fleetzero for its Leviathan™ Battery Energy Storage System, making it the first lithium iron phosphate (LFP) marine battery system manufactured in the United States to receive classification approval. The approval comes as the maritime industry works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with the International Maritime Organization having set a goal to cut total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 50 percent by 2050 compared to 2008.

The PDA reflects ABS's review of the Leviathan system for marine application and supports its deployment in future projects that require class-verified battery technology. Built on LFP chemistry — a composition valued in marine and stationary storage for its thermal stability and lower thermal runaway risk compared to nickel-based lithium-ion chemistries — the system operates at up to 1,000 VDC, supports a depth of discharge ranging from 2 percent to 98 percent, and carries an IP67 rating. Its modular, containerized design enables the system to be specified, deployed, and replaced across a variety of vessel types and applications.

First U.S.-Manufactured LFP Marine Battery System to Receive Classification Society Approval

"As the industry works through the practical challenges of electrification, class-verified battery technology plays an important role in building confidence among owners and integrators," said Gareth Burton, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Engineering. "The PDA for the Leviathan system reflects the rigorous technical work required to bring a new marine battery solution to market safely."

The first commercial deployment of the Leviathan system is scheduled to be on the water later this year. The initial project will utilize 10 MWh of Leviathan battery capacity as part of a vessel's broader conversion to hybrid-electric propulsion. Battery-hybrid and all-electric propulsion systems are gaining traction across vessel segments — including ferries, tugs, and offshore vessels — as operators seek to reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions, and meet tightening environmental regulations in ports and coastal waters.

"This approval is the result of years of disciplined engineering and close collaboration with ABS," said Steven Henderson, CEO and Co-Founder of Fleetzero. "The maritime industry needs proven, class-approved energy storage that is built on a safe, scalable chemistry. The Leviathan delivers exactly that, and we are putting it to work immediately."

Source: ABS