So here’s what’s happening — the Port of Rotterdam is testing out a 100% electric patrol vessel called RPA Zero, built by Artemis Technologies. The idea? See if this thing can actually handle daily port operations without burning a drop of fuel.
It’s part of a fleet upgrade plan that’s been in the works for a while. Rotterdam’s patrol boats are aging out — give or take a decade left for most of them. The port’s not just replacing them; they’re aiming to go clean. This electric workboat is a trial run to see if zero-emission vessels can keep up with real-time demands: 24/7 use, all weather, tight schedules.
The boat in question is the Artemis EF-12 Workboat, known for its hydrofoiling tech. That means less drag, better efficiency, and a ride that quite literally lifts above water at high speed. Max speed: 31 knots. Range: 55 nautical miles. And it carries up to six people. Not bad for a battery-powered craft.
This isn’t a purchase, though. It’s leased until November — just enough time for crews to put it through hell and see what breaks. Charging logistics, uptime, handling, power — everything’s being logged.
Worth noting: Artemis Technologies is not some new player. The company was founded by Olympic sailing gold medalist Iain Percy, and their boats are already getting field-tested elsewhere. Just last month, another Artemis model — the EF-12 Workboat XL, named Zevi 1 — was deployed in Orkney as part of the Electric Orkney Project, a three-year trial to push battery-powered boats into mainstream operations.
This Rotterdam pilot isn’t some greenwashing fluff either. The port has a serious track record of doing green before it was trendy — LNG bunkering, shore power, AI-assisted ship coordination, you name it. The RPA Zero is another step in testing whether clean tech can actually work under pressure, not just in promo videos.
And here’s the kicker: if the results check out, this could become Europe’s first real electric patrol boat rollout in a major industrial port. But make no mistake — they won’t move unless the tech holds up under constant use. Reliability is still the gatekeeper, even more than sustainability.
For now, the port waits. The RPA Zero’s got a few months to prove it can stay on the water, stay charged, and stay useful.
