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SeaTech Solutions unveils design of Singapore’s first electric harbourcraft

Vessel will be supported by proposed charging infrastructure and equipped with battery packs which could be swapped for charging during ops.
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Singapore-based vessel design and engineering specialist SeaTech Solutions International (SeaTech), as project lead of “Goal Zero” consortium, on Monday (20 September) revealed the design of an electrically-powered lighter craft which is set to ply the waters of Singapore within the next three years. 

The fully electric lighter craft will be able to carry up to 12 passengers and 35 tonnes of cargo. It will be supported by a proposed charging infrastructure and equipped with battery packs which could be swapped for charging while the vessel carries out its operations uninterrupted.  

Last month, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) awarded funding to three consortiums – led by SeaTech, Keppel O&M and Sembcorp Marine for the study, testbed and deployment of their solutions across different types of harbour craft and operating profiles in Singapore port waters, through the electrification of a pilot use case proposed by each consortium.  

Singapore has 1,600 licensed diesel-powered harbour craft. The pilot project proposals will demonstrate how the electrification of specific use cases can be achieved on a sustainable and commercially viable basis while supporting Singapore’s wide-ranging initiatives to decarbonise the maritime sector. 

Ms Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive, MPA, said, “Electrification has the potential to accelerate the decarbonisation of our local harbour craft industry so we are pleased to support the joint industry-research consortium named Goal Zero led by Seatech Solutions Pte Ltd and its key commercial partner Yinson Green Technologies in their electric vessel project. This is one of the three consortiums comprising 30 enterprises and research institutions across the value chain that we are supporting under the Maritime GreenFuture Fund.

Mr. Prabjot Singh Chopra, Vice President, Technology of SeaTech shared, “The vision of the ‘Goal Zero’ consortium is to spur Singapore’s transformation into a zero-emissions port, hence our chosen consortium name. Our pilot project to design and build a fully electric lighter craft will also include a digital twin, electrification concepts, charging infrastructure, interoperability and digitalisation for adoption and deployment. This will enable an industry-wide contribution towards reducing carbon emissions as part of Singapore’s green port transformation.” 

Battery Charging Infrastructure

Key considerations for the consortium’s proposed battery charging infrastructure will include the potential to design alternative charging facilities for reducing reliance on fixed shore-based facilities. This will enable the lighter craft to maintain their operational flexibility and reduce the need for ineffective movement through congested port waters.

The evaluation of variable power ratings on a single charging station, featuring swappable batteries, floating energy supply with fast charging and a universal charging connection adaptor will provide innovative outcomes to enable charging of all types of electric vessels while improving commercial efficiencies.

“Goal Zero”

Mr. Chopra shared, “The members in this consortium are convinced that our harbourcraft electrification project has the potential to significantly contribute towards the goal of a carbon neutral footprint for Singapore. Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to do our part in helping our industry meet IMO’s greenhouse gas emission targets for 2030 and 2050 and enable the local harbour craft industry to meet Singapore’s 2030 enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) target. 

“We are very excited to testbed our prototype design that will revolutionise the operations of our harbourcraft sector and forever change the seascape of Singapore port waters,” he concluded.

“Goal Zero” consortium brings together the diverse expertise of 13 enterprises and research institutes.  Project Lead SeaTech takes on the roles of vessel designer and system integrator, while Yinson Green Technologies is responsible for overall programme management and commercialisation. 

Other consortium members include Sterling PBES Energy Solutions as battery technology partner, Rina Hong Kong Limited Singapore Branch as classification society, industry partners Batam Fast Ferry, Bernhard Schulte (Singapore) Holdings, DM Sea Logistics, Marina Offshore, Kenoil Marine Services, Lita Ocean Pte Ltd and Jurong Port and research institutes Singapore Institute of Technology and Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine Singapore.

Related: Singapore: MPA and SMI co-fund consortiums for fully electric harbourcraft

 

Photo credit: SeaTech Solutions International
Published: 20 September, 2021

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

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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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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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