The Switch on Tuesday (17 June) said Bergen Tankers and Equinor have signed a long-term charter agreement for two oil/chemical tanker newbuilds with an electric propulsion system, which aim to set a new standard for low emissions at the Norwegian Coast.

The Norway-based companies selected Berg Propulsion as the system integrator for these DNV ice-classed tankers. The newbuild 6,500 dwt stainless steel tankers will be built by Zhoushan Dashenzhou Shipbuilding in China. 

The vessels will include two electric drive controllable-pitch propellers (CPP) in a propulsion system with a battery package and shore power capability to ensure high efficiency, low power consumption and reduced emissions. 

Berg Propulsion chose The Switch to supply each vessel with two large DC-Hubs responsible for the main power distribution on board and two PMM1000 propulsion machines. Berg will deliver the shaft and bearings. 

“Berg Propulsion is proud to continue our good cooperation with The Switch and deliver our patented configuration of the Direct Drive Electric, which combines a robust and simplified configuration with the highest possible efficiency. Together with the DC-Hub, motors and PMS, it further strengthens the position of Berg Propulsion as a supplier for high-end automation and integration packages,” said Mattias Dombrowe, Business Manager, Electrical System Integration at Berg Propulsion. 

The Switch received the order from Berg at the end of May this year. Deliveries of The Switch products will start in Q2/2026 to the shipyard in China. Commissioning is planned for the second half of 2026.

“Being selected to supply The Switch DC-Hub and PM propulsion machine package is a significant milestone for us, highlighting our position as a trusted and innovative technology partner,” said Miika Reinikka, President and CEO of The Switch. 

“This opportunity underscores the market’s recognition of our advanced products that deliver efficiency, reliability and future-ready performance. It also reinforces our commitment to driving sustainable progress through game-changing green power electronics and propulsion technologies.”

The flexible power systems on the newbuilds can be adapted to use marine fuels such as ammonia, methanol, biofuels or LNG. 

Bergen Tankers’ main trading areas are along the Norwegian coast, in the North Sea/Continent/UK, and in the German/Danish Baltic Sea.

Photo credit: The Switch
Published: 18 June, 2025

 Yinson GreenTech and RMS Marine & Offshore Service (Singapore) (RMS) have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to advance marine electrification and sustainable maritime solutions in Singapore, according to Malaysia’s energy infrastructure and technology firm Yinson on Monday (9 June). 

The signing took place at Nor-Shipping 2025 held in Norway. Under the LOI, RMS intends to collaborate with Yinson GreenTech, the green technologies business unit of Yinson, to explore the adoption of electric vessels to support its maritime operations within the Port Limits of Singapore. 

Yinson GreenTech will manage the vessels’ operations and maintenance, ensuring reliable and efficient performance. RMS will collaborate with Yinson GreenTech on the Marine Digital Platform to enhance transparency and enable data-driven monitoring of its logistics services.

Jan-Viggo Johansen, Managing Director of marinEV, the marine electrification business of Yinson GreenTech, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with RMS in offering novel green technologies for their business needs. 

“This milestone sets the basis for Yinson GreenTech to bring cleaner, smarter fleet solutions to the market in supporting maritime decarbonisation. Together, we are advancing the shift toward sustainable operations across the industry.”

Cindy Fan, Group Executive Director of RMS, said, “This collaboration reflects our commitment to keeping pace with the maritime sector’s growing focus on decarbonisation to achieve sustainable supply chains.

“Adopting electric vessels is a fine example of collaboration across the maritime ecosystem, supporting Singapore’s broader push for cleaner and more resilient maritime operations. Ultimately, we believe this will also value add to our customers in their journey to measure, optimize and reduce scope 3 carbon emission.”

The LOI follows the successful completion of a trial that both parties held on 23 May at Sudong Special Purpose Anchorage. 

The trials saw the deployment of Yinson GreenTech’s Hydromover to facilitate the transport of light cargo, demonstrating its ability to perform reliably in a live operational environment. 

“The Hydromover, having completed its trip, showcased its efficiency and potential as a net-zero alternative harbour craft,” Yinson added.

Photo credit: Yinson
Published: 10 June, 2025

Shipping company Viking Line on Friday (6 June) unveiled a new vessel concept, which upon realisation, would be the world’s largest electric passenger-car ferry.

The company said it is preparing to launch entirely emission-free service between Helsinki and Tallinn and that its vessel concept is proof that a green maritime corridor across the Gulf of Finland could be realised as early as the beginning of the 2030s.

The vessel concept, named Helios, developed by Viking Line will feature a battery capacity of approximately 85-100 megawatt hours (MWh) and could transport 2,000 passengers across the Gulf of Finland in just over two hours. 

The length of the concept vessel is 195 metres, the width 30 metres and the speed approximately 23 knots. The freight capacity on board is approximately 2 kilometres. Compared to the silhouette of traditional vessels, Helios mainly stands out due its lack of a funnel.

Helios is based on a research collaboration between Viking Line and Rauma shipyard as well as other partners. The concept is specifically designed for the Helsinki–Tallinn route, as the 80 kilometre, or 43 nautical mile, route is ideally suited for electric vessel traffic. The electric vessel is always charged when the ship is in port. The vessel requires a charging capacity of over 30 megawatt hours.

Viking Line’s CEO Jan Hanses, said: “Helios heralds a new era in maritime transport, just like the first sail, steam, and motor ships did in their time. The concept proves that large-scale emission-free maritime transport is no longer a utopia. 

“The world’s largest fully electric passenger-car ferries could be in operation as early as the beginning of the next decade. We are strongly committed to realizing the ambitious vision that Helios represents.”

The newly announced electric passenger-car ferry concept serves as a basis for continued planning and for the invitation to tender to shipyards. This spring, Viking Line submitted a funding application to the EU’s Innovation Fund for the construction of a ferry.

Photo credit: Viking Line
Published: 10 June, 2025