Electrification News

Technology group Wärtsilä has secured a contract to supply the electrical systems needed to convert two Scandlines ferries to a plug-in hybrid solution.The ferries operate on the Puttgarden, Germany – Rödby, Denmark route, and the conversion represents a key element in Scandlines’ target to achieve emission-free operations on the route by 2030.The two Scandlines Ro-Ro ferries selected for conversion to plug-in hybrid operation are the 142 metres-long ‘Deutschland’ and ‘Schleswig-Holstein’.The project involves replacing an engine and existing systems with a new shore-charged electrical system…

Crowley Maritime Corporation has owned and operated a lot of vessels since its founding in 1892. But the latest vessel to join its fleet is unlike any other that has come before it.Crowley’s new harbor tug, eWolf, is unique in that it runs 100% powered by batteries, not diesel engines, meaning it produces zero emissions and nearly no noise. Not only is the vessel the first fully electric tug in the Crowley fleet, but it is also the first of its kind in the United States.Faced with stricter regulations and commercial pressure to prioritize environmental…

A new environmentally friendly electric ferry service is planned to launch in Halifax, Canada.The province of Nova Scotia, along with the federal government and Halifax Regional Municipality, announced on March 4 a joint investment to build the Mill Cove Ferry Service, which will include five fully electric ferries, two terminals and a maintenance facility. All-electric propulsion, which slashes vessel emissions, noise and vibration, has been taking off in the ferry industry as the operational profile for these vessels—often including frequent…

A third electric-powered tug built by Sanmar Shipyards in Turkiye has arrived in Vancouver, Canada, to join HaiSea Marine’s fleet.HaiSea Brave will work in Vancouver alongside its sisters HaiSea Wamis and HaiSea Wee'git before all three – along with two Sanmar-built liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled tugs – are transferred to LNG Canada’s new export facility in Kitimat, British Columbia.Based on the ElectRA 2800 SX design by Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd, HaiSea Brave…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has shortlisted 11 proposals, submitted by seven companies and consortia, to advance designs and promote adoption of full electric harbor craft (e-HC) in Singapore.The announcement follows call for the expressions of interest (EOI), launched by MPA) in 2023, which yielded 55 proposals from 32 international and local companies and consortia.The results signal high interest and strong confidence by global and local participants in the development of e-HC in Singapore.Of the 11 e-HC designs…

The first electric tugs of the SAAM Towage's fleet, built by SANMAR Shipyards, have reached the Port of Vancouver in Canada. The vessels are named Saam Volta and Chief Dan George."We continue to make progress on this milestone for SAAM Towage, which is part of our strategy to drive innovation and development for increasingly sustainable operations. These tugs, which are the result our alliance with Teck and Neptune Terminals, show our commitment to seek alternatives in our industry to reduce the carbon footprint and support the fight against global climate change…

Whether it is from international organizations or state government agencies, there is growing pressure on ferry operators to meet stringent goals to reduce the environmental toll from their operations.The California Air Resource Board’s Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation issued the most stringent of these policies, which requires all short-run ferries to achieve zero emission by January 1, 2026. But it’s not just California that wants this industry to clean up its act. The United…

HAROPA PORT has started working on the construction of electricity supply connections for ships at the Le Havre cruise terminal.The purpose of the work planned for HAROPA PORT’s cruise terminal, dubbed Florida Point, is to assist the energy transition in the sea cruise sector, which goes in line with the port’s strategic project decarbonize its activities.Each supply outlet will be capable of providing up to 13 MW, subject to a maximum of 30 MW (or the equivalent of the power required to supply 5…

Cavotec reports it has signed a $5.7 million contract to retrofit vessels with shore power solutions for an undisclsoed major European shipping line.The agreement entails the complete retrofit of containerships from installation of Cavotec's cable management system to modifications of the ship’s switchboards. The works will be completed in drydock for some of the vessels and during commercial sailing for the rest. Deliveries are scheduled throughout 2024.The implementation of…

BMT has unveiled its new 140ft (42m) 100% electric EF-500 passenger ferry design at the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans.Featuring a 500-passenger and four-crew capacity, the zero-emission vessel is tailored to meet the rising demand for hybrid or all-electric ferry options in the region.The newly unveiled all-electric ferry boasts a low wake hull, featuring a simple, easily constructible design with a lightweight and durable aluminum structure. Its capabilities include a range of one hour at 18 knots or 40 minutes at a top speed of 20 knots…

India aims to be a global hub for green shipbuilding by 2030, and in support of that goal Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SeaTech Solutions International, Shift Energy and ABS for the nation’s first electric tug.GRSE India will build the tug based on the design developed by Singapore-based SeaTech Solutions International and says the E-VOLT 50 could help India’s tugboat industry to curb carbon emissions and enhance operational efficiency.Cmde PR Hari…

Wärtsilä has signed a strategic partnership agreement to provide its fleet electrification and systems integrator services for a project to build the first zero-emission high speed ferries in the US. The fully electric vessels will be built for San Francisco’s Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), the operator of the San Francisco Bay Ferry system.The project, and several others Wärtsilä will work on under the partnership, are part of the agency’s Rapid Electric Emission-Free (REEF) Ferry Program…

Bremerton, Wash. boatbuilder SAFE Boats International (SBI) announced it is teaming up with U.K.-based electric powertrains provider Vita Power to develop a 100% electric, emissions-free patrol boat.Under a new memorandum of understanding to bring electrification to the patrol boat market, the partners have adapted one of SAFE Boats’ most proven hull designs - the 23’ Center Console - to be propelled by Vita Power’s V300 electric motor and battery package. Dubbed the “223e”, this concept provides a zero-emission solution for operators who are working long hours at lower speeds…

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Sea Forrest Power Solutions (Sea Forrest), a subsidiary of BH Global, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to drive advancements in cutting-edge maritime electrification technologies.Supported by the new ABS Electrification Center in Singapore, the agreement will cover projects for electric vessels, shore charging infrastructure, along with related industry standards and marine classification requirements, ABSABS and Sea Forrest…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting financial institutions and intermediaries, as well as marine insurance providers and brokers, to submit proposals to accelerate the adoption of electric harbor craft in Singapore.The EOI aims to help drive the adoption of electric harbor craft among owners and operators of harbor craft in Singapore.EOI participants are expected to propose the demand planning parameters for…

Norway's Kongsberg Maritime and Turkey's BMA Technology have partnered up to support the supply of low-voltage electrical products and engineering services to Turkish shipyards.BMA Technology, based in the Gebze Organized Industrial Zone, east of Istanbul, is a technology company providing electrical system solutions for the marine industry.As part of the alliance agreement, BMA Technology will manufacture, assemble, and test Kongsberg Maritime low-voltage electrical products in its facility in Türkiye.

Port of Aberdeen said Thursday it had been awarded funding from the UK Government for a multi-million-pound project to design and deliver the first large-scale landside and vessel-side shore power system in Scotland."The demonstrator project will cut vessel emissions at the berths by more than 80% compared with burning marine fuel and save in excess of 60,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent over the next 20 years," Port of Aberdeen said.Crucially, the port said, ‘Shore Power in Operation’ will pave the way for the roll-out of green shore power across North Harbour.

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is launching a global ABS Electrification Center in Singapore to support maritime decarbonization projects.Comprised of ABS engineers and technical specialists, the center will support a range of cutting-edge electrification projects for shipowners, shipyards and other stakeholders across the Asia Pacific region and around the world, ABS said.The center will also provide support for the electrification of harbor and coastal craft aligned to the initiatives from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

Danish offshore charging solutions company Stillstrom has signed an MoU with UK offshore support vessel operator North Star to accelerate the adoption of offshore charging and vessel electrification technologies for service operation vessels (SOVs) in the offshore wind sector.Stillstrom’s charging solutions will enable North Star's growing SOV fleet to recharge their battery systems using wind energy while in the field.By combining their expertise and resources, the two companies will promote hybrid and full-electric vessels and charging solutions to offshore wind developers…

Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has issued an expression of interest (EOI) calling for proposals to design and promote the use of fully electric harbor craft in Singapore, it said in a statement on Tuesday.The EOI document is a further step towards MPA's rule that all new harbor craft operating in its waters to be fully electric, or run on biofuels or net-zero fuels from 2030. The final aim is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.Proposals have to be submitted before midnight on Sept.

Shift Clean Energy (Shift), Ecomar Propulsion and Aluminium Marine Consultants have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate and develop a retrofit package to electrify and transform existing crew transfer vessels (CTVs) and workboats into environmentally friendly marine vessels.With the use of Shift’s energy storage systems (ESS), Aluminium Marine Consultants' shipyard capabilities and Ecomar Propulsion's propulsion systems, the partnership aims to introduce "plug and play" solutions that will lower emissions…

The agency that provides San Francisco Bay Ferry service has won a $13.8 million grant  to electrify ferry terminals and facilities in San Francisco and the East Bay, enabling zero-emission, electric ferry operations on routes connecting Oakland and Alameda to San Francisco.The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) grant for the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) will fund electric infrastructure and increased charging capacity to the Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal…

Vard Electro signed a multi-million-euro agreement with Yaskawa Environmental Energy / The Switch to supply full DC distribution systems along with its protection devices. With the deal, Vard Electro will be able to serve its clients with design and engineering services that take advantage of DC distribution solutions.The Switch DC-Hub is a technology for a multi-megawatt DC distribution system, designed and optimized from the start for DC distribution. The Switch DC-Hub comes…