Alternative Fuels

Berlin’s Mayor Franziska Giffey christens world’s first emission-free pusher boat “ELEKTRA”

“ELEKTRA” is the first pusher boat worldwide where a battery-electric drive will be combined with hydrogen and fuel cell technology, says Federal Minister Dr. Volker Wissing.

Published

3 years ago

May 20, 2022

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NOW GmbH (National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology) on Monday (16 May) said Mayor Franziska Giffey christened the ELEKTRA - the world’s first pusher boat where a battery-electric drive will be combined with hydrogen and fuel cell technology - in Berlin’s Westhafen.

After almost two years of construction at the Hermann Barthel GmbH shipyard in Derben and transfer to the Westhafen in Berlin, the long-term testing of the emission-free pusher boat can finally begin, it said.

Petra Cardinal, Managing Director of BEHALA – Berliner Hafen- und Lagerhausgesellschaft mbH, welcomed the approximately 250 guests who had gathered at Harbour Basin II to commemorate the occasion.

They included many representatives from politics and public authorities as well as project partners and suppliers, the project executing organisation and the project coordinator, the port industry and various associations, press and members of the supervisory board and staff.

In his opening remarks, Federal Minister Dr. Volker Wissing talked about the significance of hydrogen mobility for achieving the climate protection goals of the federal government.

“The ELEKTRA is a lighthouse project: It is the first pusher boat worldwide where a battery-electric drive will be combined with hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The entire project is a blueprint for climate- and environmentally-friendly inland shipping and is a true pioneering achievement not just technically, but also in terms of regulation,” he said.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerd Holbach, overall project manager from the Technical University Berlin, briefly explained the overall project, the concept and the construction design for the innovative pusher boat.

Mayor of Berlin, Franziska Giffey, uttered the phrase: “I hereby christen you ELEKTRA, wish the crew a safe journey and always a hand’s breadth of water under your keel” and christened the ship.

She added: “The world’s first emission-free pusher boat is the impressive result of the collaboration of those in shipbuilding as well as energy and propulsion technology.”

“I am particularly pleased that much of the Berlin inventor spirit has been incorporated into the development and construction of ELEKTRA.”

“This lighthouse project is an ideal showcase for how innovative ideas can succeed in improving the climate over the long-term on our waterways. Berlin wants to be a pioneer in this area.”

Dr. Corinna Barthel from the Barthel shipyard congratulated the godmother with a bouquet and spoke about the special features of the construction of the ELEKTRA.

The Managing Director (Chair) of NOW GmbH, Kurt-Christoph von Knobelsdorff added: “The ELEKTRA is already a role model for more new ship builds and for that alone, is already a huge success story for the funding strategy of the BMDV.”

“Considering their service lives of 50 years and beyond, the transition to climate-friendly propulsion systems in shipping must now be accelerated.”

The companies BEHALA – Berliner Hafen- und Lagerhausgesellschaft (logistics), the Hermann Barthel shipyard, BALLARD Power Systems (fuel cells), Argo-Anleg (hydrogen system), SER Schiffselektronik Rostock (electric energy system), EST-Floattech (battery system) and HGK Shipping (nautical operation) participated as partners in the development, construction and testing of the ELEKTRA.

As the first zero-emission ship, the ELEKTRA will serve as a role model, because this energy system is conceived in such a way as to make it transferable to many types of inland waterway and coastal ships.

It is not only energy provision for the ship’s propulsion and the pushing of the pusher units that is needed, but also power for the crew, who live, cook and wash on board.

Furthermore, energy must be provided for temperature control of the rooms and the wheelhouse. The batteries also need a certain ‘comfort temperature’ for efficient operation and a long service life. This must all function with limited carried energy and without losing range.

With 750 kg of usable gaseous hydrogen at 500 bars on board and a battery capacity of approx. 2,500 kilowatt hours, the ship has a range of approx. 400 kilometres in a pushed convoy with the loaded heavy freight lighter, URSUS.

Therefore, along the shipping routes of Berlin towards Rhine/Ruhr, Hamburg and Stettin, there will only be one additional shore station required to provide ELEKTRA with hydrogen and electricity aside from Westhafen. In all, convoys of up to 150m long can be driven.

Initially, testing will for the most part, take place in the capital region. From 2023, testing will then increasingly be conducted in long-distance transport in the direction of Hamburg.

With a total project volume of approx. EUR 14.6 million (USD 15.43 million), the project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) in the amount of approx. EUR 9.1 million and supervised and coordinated by Project Management Jülich (PtJ) and the National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW).

Photo credit: NOW GmbH
Published: 20 May, 2022

Business

SMW 2025: MPA and Dalian Maritime University to partner on joint maritime training

Both signed a MoU to enhance talent development and academic exchange between Singapore and China, focusing on maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation and covering areas such as clean energy.

Published

6 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Admin

SMW 2025: MPA and Dalian Maritime University to partner on joint maritime training

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Dalian Maritime University (DMU) on Friday (28 March) said they have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance talent development and academic exchange between Singapore and China in the maritime sector.

The MoU renewal was signed by MPA Chief Executive, Mr Teo Eng Dih, and Professor Shan Hongjun, President of DMU. This renewal builds on the successful collaboration established since 2021, and further strengthens talent development and knowledge exchange between both maritime ecosystems.

As part of the MOU, MPA and DMU will continue to engage in faculty exchanges, study visits and student exchanges in Singapore and Dalian, and joint maritime training and research programmes. Trainers from MPA, including subject matter experts and adjunct trainers, will contribute to courses, events and knowledge sharing.

The collaboration will focus on digitalisation and decarbonisation, covering areas such as clean energy and sustainable practices in the maritime sector, digital transformation of maritime operations, environmental management, maritime safety, navigational technologies, and port management and smart technologies.

DMU is home to world-class facilities, including two ocean-going training vessels and state-of-the-art research centre. A leader in autonomous ship technology and innovation in smart and sustainable shipping, the university has recently launched its 3rd ocean-going new generation autonomous training vessel.

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, MPA, said, “The renewal of this MOU reflects the strong partnership between MPA and DMU. As the maritime industry evolves, our collaboration in maritime education and training is more crucial than ever in preparing the next generation of maritime professionals. This agreement will enhance maritime talent development and knowledge sharing between Singapore and China, fostering innovation and sustainability in the maritime sector.”

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 28 March, 2025

Alternative Fuels

SMW 2025: Geospatial tools to be explored for port operations including bunkering

MPA and partners will explore the use of geospatial tools to develop solutions to improve safety and efficiency of port operations, such as bunkering of alternative fuels and vessel navigation.

Published

6 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Admin

SMW 2025: Geospatial tools to be explored for port operations including bunkering

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (26 March) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with several partners to promote knowledge-sharing initiatives and explore geospatial technologies to address real-world challenges in the republic.

Partners will explore the use of geospatial tools to develop solutions to strengthen preparedness, monitor sea level rise, and improve the safety and efficiency of port operations, such as vessel navigation, marine services and the bunkering of alternative fuels.

MPA signed a three-year MOU with Jurong Port, Singapore Cruise Centre Private Limited, Esri Singapore, Hexagon’s Safety Infrastructure and Geospatial Division, Nika, Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS), A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing (A*STAR IHPC) and the Centre of Excellence in Modelling and Simulation for Next Generation Ports (C4NGP) in the College of Design and Engineering of the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Geospatial tools use location-based data such as satellite images, traffic and weather data, and sensor readings from buoys and on land to create 2D and 3D visual insights.

These can help stakeholders monitor real-time conditions, manage risks, and plan operations more effectively by improving risk management and decision-making, and enhancing operational planning for improved safety and efficiency.

MPA also signed a three-year MOU with NUS to develop a skilled maritime geospatial workforce.

Under this partnership, MPA and NUS will explore the development of maritime geospatial courses for NUS undergraduate and post-graduate geography students, and a professional certification programme for mid-career professionals.

The maritime geospatial programmes will cover skills in 2D and 3D mapping, geospatial analytics, and advanced environmental and operations modelling. This will build a pipeline of talent equipped with the skills and knowledge to drive maritime geospatial innovation in the industry and government.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 28 March, 2025

Biofuel

Monjasa and NYK complete first-ever biofuel bunkering operation in Panama

Monjasa delivered a total of 900 mt of B30 biofuel, using tanker “Monjasa Thunder”, to NYK-operated vessel “Hestia Leader” at Port of Cristobal, marking the first ISCC-certified biofuels supply in Panama.

Published

6 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Admin

Monjasa and NYK complete first-ever biofuel bunkering operation in Panama

Marine fuels supplier Monjasa on Thursday (27 March) said it delivered a total of 900 metric tonnes (mt) of B30 biofuel to NYK-operated vessel Hestia Leader in the Port of Cristobal, Panama on 2 February.

This ship-to-ship operation was performed by the 19,991 dwt Monjasa Thunder and marked the first ISCC-certified biofuels supply in Panama and the establishment of a scalable 2nd generation marine biofuels supply chain. This setup is capable of supplying a total of 5,000-7,000 mt monthly.

On 24 March 2025, the Panama Canal Authority announced the introduction of a NetZero Slot designed to support and reward shipowners and operators on their journey towards decarbonisation.

General Manager Latin America, Jonas Bruslund, said: “The introduction of biofuels in Panama has progressed slower than in major bunkering hubs like Singapore or Rotterdam, mainly due to lack of local feedstock and customer commitments.”

“However, we have now developed a viable strategy with a longstanding business partner to ship biofuels products from Europe for the benefit of shipowners operating in the Panama Canal area.”

“The Panama Canal has a strong agenda to promote low-carbon fuels and higher energy efficiency and we are pleased to challenge the status quo and actively support these efforts.”

Monjasa established its local maritime logistics in 2015 and today manages seven vessels across the Atlantic and Pacific areas of the Panama Canal.

In the Americas, Monjasa has already established biofuels partnerships across the port of Callao in Peru and in Cartagena, Colombia.

As an ISCC-certified partner, Monjasa allows all involved parties to trace feedstock used to produce biofuels from the point of origin to the end consumer. On this first supply in Panama, the B30 product consisted of 30% Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) and 70% Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO).

Monjasa still awaits the shift away from sporadic biofuels inquiries to a broader pick-up in demand. Until then, Monjasa aims to continue establishing a string of global biofuels supply locations to support the shipping industry in meeting IMO’s 2050 climate change commitments.

Photo credit: Monjasa
Published: 28 March, 2025