Marstal Maritime Academy – Maritime battery systems

Training, Safety, Operations and Consultancy for Battery-Electric and Hybrid Vessels

10 Years of Experience with Maritime Battery Systems

For the past 10 years, Marstal Navigation School has been developing and delivering training courses in maritime battery systems, battery safety and electric propulsion.

Through close cooperation with shipping companies, battery suppliers and other stakeholders in the maritime industry, we have developed extensive practical and technical expertise in the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of large battery systems on board ships.

Our training is based not only on theory and international guidelines, but also to a significant extent on practical experience from the maritime sector, including operation, maintenance, optimisation and the management of safety-related challenges.

We offer both open-enrolment courses and customised training programmes tailored to each shipping company's vessels, battery systems and operational requirements.

Type-Specific Courses in Maritime Battery Systems

Customised training tailored to the shipping company's specific battery installation.

Marstal Navigation School offers specialised courses for shipping companies that have installed, or are planning to install, maritime battery systems.

The course is based on the specific battery type, the manufacturer's technical documentation and the safety systems incorporated into the installation.

We have experience with battery systems from manufacturers including:

• Corvus Energy
• Leclanché
• Echandia

The training focuses on battery system design and configuration, operation, monitoring, Battery Management Systems (BMS), alarms, safety functions, fire detection, fire suppression systems and emergency procedures.

The objective is to ensure that crew members have the necessary knowledge to work safely with the specific battery system installed on board their vessel.

The course is particularly beneficial in connection with newbuild projects, vessel conversions, installation or commissioning of maritime battery systems.

Practical Training and Realistic Exercises

A central element of our training approach is translating theoretical knowledge into practical understanding.

We use our Full Mission Ship Simulator, which has been adapted with a battery system Human-Machine Interface (HMI), allowing participants to practise responding to battery alarms, operational disturbances and emergency situations in realistic scenarios.

Whenever possible, we combine classroom training with visits to local battery-electric and hybrid vessels, providing participants with an opportunity to experience the technology and practical solutions in operation.

Our approach is based on the principle that crew members must not only understand the technical characteristics of battery systems but also be able to respond correctly and safely when unexpected situations arise.

International Guidelines and Safety Requirements

Our Basic and Advanced courses have been developed with reference to international regulations, recommendations and practical experience.

The courses cover relevant elements of the following guidelines and regulatory documents:

• Norwegian Maritime Authority Circular RSV 07-2023, concerning safety and training requirements for maritime battery systems on board Norwegian ships.
• IMO proposal HTW 12/7 of 5 December 2025, concerning guidelines for the safe handling of battery systems on board ships.
• STCW.7/Circ.25 of 8 September 2025, concerning training requirements for seafarers serving on ships using alternative fuels and energy systems.

The training covers battery chemistry, battery types, technical terminology, risk assessment, safety systems, alarms, firefighting and emergency procedures.

Customised Courses for Shipping Companies and Flexible Training Options

We offer specially designed courses for individual shipping companies or groups of employees.

Depending on specific requirements and agreements, we can provide:

• Courses conducted in Danish or English.
• Type-specific training based on the shipping company's own battery system.
• Training based on the manufacturer's technical manuals and safety instructions.
• Courses focusing on battery-related charging infrastructure, charging curves and safe charging procedures.
• Practical onboard training, where conditions permit.
• Tailored training programmes for deck officers, marine engineers, technical personnel and shore-based staff.

We develop each course in close consultation with the shipping company to ensure that the training is directly relevant to the participants' specific duties and responsibilities.

Consultancy and Cooperation with Shipping Companies

In addition to our training activities, Marstal Navigation School provides consultancy services and knowledge sharing within the field of maritime battery systems.

We have cooperated with municipal ferry operators associated with the Danish Ferry Secretariat (Færgesekretariatet), including operators in the municipalities of Aalborg, Ærø, Faaborg-Midtfyn and Kalundborg.

Our experience covers both technical and operational aspects of battery-electric propulsion, including safety, maintenance and the application of battery technology in the maritime sector.

Some of our consultancy assignments are carried out under non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and therefore cannot be described in further detail.

Battery Life – Research, Development and Practical Battery Maintenance

Marstal Navigation School is also actively involved in the Battery Life development project, which focuses on the maintenance, repair, testing and extension of the service life of maritime battery systems.

As part of the project, we are establishing a dedicated battery workshop for demonstrations and future training in both general battery technology principles and manufacturer-specific installations.

The project addresses several key areas:

• Testing and condition assessment of maritime battery modules.
• Maintenance and repair of battery systems.
• Improvement and extension of the usable service life of batteries.
• Repurposing maritime batteries for stationary energy storage applications when they no longer meet the requirements for maritime operation.
• Development of practical knowledge to support future training and operational practices.

In cooperation with Ærøfærgerne, we have worked on the repair and testing of Leclanché battery modules from the battery-electric ferry Ellen. Following the repair and testing process, the modules were returned to service with an improved State of Health (SoH).

This work provides valuable practical insight into battery ageing, maintenance and opportunities for extending battery service life.

Read more about the project at www.batterylife.dk.

Contact Us – Courses Tailored to Your Needs

Is your shipping company planning to invest in maritime battery systems, or do you already operate battery-electric or hybrid vessels?

Marstal Navigation School would be pleased to assist in developing a training programme tailored to your battery system, crew and operational requirements.

We recommend that shipping companies contact us during the early planning stages so that the necessary training can be incorporated into preparations for installation and commissioning.

We also welcome interested shipping companies to arrange an online meeting or visit Marstal Navigation School, where we can present our training facilities and discuss opportunities for cooperation.