News

ISS, Zeeboat Announce Strategic Decarbonization Partnership

Houston-based Industrial Service Solutions (ISS), an independent manufacturer, supplier and servicer of industrial equipment, and Zeeboat, a company dedicated to maritime transportation decarbonization projects, have announced a “strategic alliance agreement” to develop a pipeline of projects aimed at the design and implementation of electric and hybrid diesel-electric-powered vessels supported by port electrification systems.

The two companies already are partnering on a project to build and deploy the United States’ first four fully electric towboats, which Zeeboat plans to begin offering for charter in U.S. waters in 2025. 

Shift Clean Energy will supply battery storage systems for the electric towboat project. ISS is currently soliciting bids from shipyards for the project.

Under the newly announced agreement, ISS will be general contractor for future projects and will provide design, engineering, procurement and construction management services, along with manufacturing, technology and supply chain support. Zeeboat will be responsible for financing the projects.

“Meeting carbon reduction targets requires a comprehensive approach, targeting each element of the maritime ecosystem,” said Wade Stockstill, CEO of ISS. “Partnering with Zeeboat enables ISS to bring electrification to vessels, ports and, ultimately, the complete marine transportation segment.”

ISS Director of Business Development Jessica Lewis praised the partnership, calling electrification an enormous growth segment for the maritime industry.

“As environmental regulations evolve, electrification will be a core strategy for vessel and port operators to meet these increasingly challenging targets,” Lewis said. “This segment will be an important source of growth for Zeeboat and ISS for the foreseeable future.”

Zeeboat CEO Jonathan Braun said the prospective work will have far-reaching impacts, both for ISS and Zeeboat, and for the regions where projects will be built.

“Zeeboat is excited and appreciative of the opportunity to work closely and strategically with ISS,” Braun said. “We look forward to a long, productive relationship that will benefit both companies and the communities we hope to serve.”