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Singapore startup Pyxis to scale up production of electric harbour crafts with seed fund

Pyxis has raised SGD 4.5 million in its seed funding round co-led by Motion Ventures and Shift4Good, which it will use to develop its electrification technology and ramp up production of harbour crafts.
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Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore electric harbour crafts

Pyxis, a maritime electrification startup headquartered in Singapore, on Thursday (1 February) said it has raised SGD 4.5 million (USD 3.4 million) in its seed funding round co-led by maritime innovation focused fund Motion Ventures and impact fund Shift4Good.

The oversubscribed round also saw participation from Enterprise Singapore’s investment arm Seeds Capital, along with MarImpact, an equity investment platform by Transport Capital focused on low to zero emission vessels, ShipsFocus, a maritime technology venture fund, strategic marine operators and local firms including Tian San Shipping, Kim Ann Investments and LCC Resources.

Pyxis will leverage the fresh funds to accelerate the development of its electrification technology and scale up production for its various lines of electric harbour crafts.

The company was founded in 2022 by Tommy Phun, who is also a Director at local marine services provider and vessel owner-operator Eng Hup Shipping, with a decade of experience in the maritime industry.

Pyxis aims to ease mass commercialisation and adoption of electric coastal vessels by offering a one-stop, streamlined solution for existing maritime vessel owners to decarbonise their fleets comprehensively without high upfront costs.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has mandated that all new harbour crafts operating in Singapore from 2030 will have to be fully electric, run on biofuels or be compatible with net zero fuels such as hydrogen. All harbour crafts are required to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

“Pyxis is an answer to the global pivot to a greener and more sustainable maritime. We are on a rapid growth trajectory and the funds will assist us in achieving our net-zero goals ahead of the timeline. Our immediate focus will be to scale up production to fulfill our pipeline of order books,” said Phun, Pyxis Chief Executive.

“We are excited to confirm Shift4Good’s investment in Pyxis and looking forward to supporting the growth of the company in the coming years. Coastal vessels are very strong candidates for electrification since the range limitations of electric batteries are less of a concern. In Singapore alone, there are about 1,200 coastal vessels that could become electric by 2030. The market opportunity is huge, and we can’t wait to see the launch of the first vessel in Singapore very soon,” said Sebastien Guillaud, Co-Founder and General Partner at Shift4Good.

“Motion Ventures is thrilled to support Pyxis in our shared ambition towards maritime electrification, leveraging strong partnerships and backing from Shift4Good, Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Seeds Capital, and more. This collective effort marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and innovative maritime industry,” said Shaun Hon, Founder and General Partner of Motion Ventures.

In November last year, the company announced a collaboration with Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL) to develop and market electric vessels in Singapore and Japan.

In January, Pyxis, together with SP Mobility, a subsidiary of utilities major SP Group, was selected by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to pilot its vessel charging concept at Marina South Pier. 

Data collected will contribute towards the development of a national electric harbour craft (e-HC) charging infrastructure master plan, implementation plan, and national standards for e-HC charging infrastructure. This follows an earlier global call for proposal (CFP) issued by MPA to develop, operate and maintain e-HC charging points in Singapore.

Related: MOL and Pyxis to develop and market electric vessels in Singapore and Japan
Related: Singapore: Pyxis, Sydrogen to deploy hydrogen fuel solutions including harbour craft electrification
Related: MPA: Singapore to trial vessel charging concepts for electric harbour craft
Related: Singapore: MPA calls for proposals to design electric harbour craft
Related: Singapore: MPA issues call for proposal to develop electric harbour craft charging points
Related: Singapore: MPA calls for financiers and insurers to support adoption of electric harbour craft
Related: Singapore: MPA to conduct industry briefing on EOI for electric harbour craft
Related: Singapore harbourcraft will need to reach net-zero emissions by 2050
Related: MPA factsheet outlines local schemes on reducing carbon emissions

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 2 February, 2024

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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July 21, 2026

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
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July 21, 2026

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CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
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July 21, 2026

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ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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