Lehmann Marine has secured its debut commercial contract for the newly developed AQUBE liquid-cooled battery system, chosen by shipbuilder Lloyd Werft to power a landmark 2027 research vessel for the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The 48-meter floating laboratory will test next-generation climate-neutral propulsion technologies in the North and Baltic Seas. Featuring high-power 2C performance, direct liquid-cooling, and ultra-safe LFP chemistry, the system highlights a localized, resilient supply chain built through Lehmann Marine’s integration with Sunlight Group.
Seevetal-Hittfeld, Germany | August 19, 2026 – Marking a major milestone in green maritime propulsion, Lehmann Marine (a Sunlight Group company) has secured its debut commercial contract for the newly developed AQUBE high-power liquid-cooled battery energy storage system.
The platform has been chosen by renowned shipbuilder Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven to power a landmark research vessel commissioned by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Germany’s national center for aeronautics, space, energy, and transport.
Building the Testbed for the Future of Maritime Transport
Scheduled for delivery in 2027, the newly contracted vessel is a 48-meter-long, 11.5-meter-wide seagoing technology platform. It will serve as an advanced floating laboratory designed to validate next-generation, climate-neutral propulsion systems, including hydrogen, hybrid, and fully electric setups, under rigorous, real-world marine conditions.
Accommodating up to 20 researchers and industry partners, the vessel will undertake multi-day test voyages across the notoriously harsh environments of the North and Baltic Seas. As global shipping accelerates efforts to eliminate carbon emissions across a sector responsible for moving over 80% of world trade, this specialized vessel will directly bridge the gap between land-based laboratory testing and open-sea trials.
Inside the Technology: How AQUBE Works
To reliably power a ship engineered to test pioneering propulsion concepts, DLR and Lloyd Werft required an energy storage architecture that marries maximum output with uncompromising safety and longevity. The AQUBE system achieves this through three core technological pillars:
- High-Power 2C Performance: In battery engineering, a 2C rating signifies the ability to discharge full capacity in just 30 minutes. AQUBE delivers up to 2C peak and 1.5C continuous power, supplying the instant, heavy surges of energy needed to maneuver a 48-meter ship through rough North Sea swells or drive power-hungry onboard experimental tech.
- Advanced Liquid-Cooling Architecture: Moving beyond standard air-cooled configurations, AQUBE circulates cooling fluid directly around the modules. Mirroring high-performance electric vehicle (EV) thermal management, this direct circulation maintains optimal cell temperatures, prevents thermal degradation, and extends service life under continuous high-load operations.
- Ultra-Safe LFP Chemistry: The system utilizes Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry instead of traditional cobalt-based options. Inherently fire-resistant, non-toxic, and cobalt-free, LFP provides superior marine thermal stability while fulfilling strict corporate and environmental green mandates.
Industrial Scale and Resilient Supply Chains
This landmark contract highlights how Lehmann Marine has evolved strategically since integrating into Sunlight Group. By pairing specialized German marine engineering with Sunlight’s massive manufacturing, R&D, and production hub in Xanthi, Greece, the enterprise provides European shipyards with a secure, localized supply chain, a vital asset amid ongoing global market volatility.
“Building on the success of our air-cooled CUBE platform and the proven liquid-cooling heritage of COBRA, AQUBE takes our technology to the next level for demanding marine applications,” said Matthias Schubert, Head of Sales and Marketing.
“Securing our first AQUBE contract for a national floating lab of this calibre is a major validation. It proves that our battery architecture is ready to power not just research vessels, but the broader commercial fleet, from ferries and offshore vessels to cargo ships and tankers.”
About Lehmann Marine
Founded in 2016 out of Becker Marine Systems and operating independently since 2022 before joining Sunlight Group, German technology leader Lehmann Marine specializes in advanced maritime Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery systems designed to accelerate global shipping decarbonization. With over 100 successful projects underway, the company pairs marine engineering excellence with stringent safety, offering type-approved solutions like the air-cooled CUBE (optimized for up to 1C workboats, ferries, and yachts) and the high-performance, water-cooled AQUBE engineered for demanding 2C peak-shaving and heavy propulsion profiles.
Built completely free of cobalt and nickel with over 90% recyclability and top-tier class certifications from DNV, BV, LR, and RINA, Lehmann Marine serves as an end-to-end enabler of zero-emission maritime operations.
Source: Lehmann Marine