Marine battery maker AYK Energy on Tuesday (11 March) said it has been commissioned to manufacture and supply the 6MWh battery that will power the world’s first battery-methanol tug.

AYK Energy has won the contract to deliver the battery system to Turkish shipyard Uzmar. The yard is building the vessel for global towage and marine services provider Svitzer with delivery planned in the second half of 2025.

It is AYK’s first contract with Uzmar. The 6MWh battery-powered tug will be deployed in Gothenburg and provide zero-emission services across a quarter of Svitzer’s operations in the Swedish port. The tug is based on Svitzer’s innovative TRAnsverse tug design and the battery will be supported by dual fuel methanol engines for back-up and range extension.

The escort duty tug is expected to conduct more than 90% of its operations using its battery-electric powertrain. The vessel’s design will also allow the battery-powered tug to operate more efficiently than internal combustion engine powered tugs of a traditional design. With a gross tonnage of approximately 806 tonnes, the tug will be capable of achieving speeds of up to 14 knots.

AYK Energy founder Chris Kruger, said: “We’re extremely pleased to have won the contract from Uzmar to work on this project, which is a trailblazer in the sector. It once again underlines the confidence the marine industry has in AYK to deliver. It also shows our continuing progress in winning the bigger battery projects and that is very much down to our advanced technology and commitment to providing value for money.

"Battery solutions are constantly expanding, and we are proud to be at the forefront when it comes to providing those solutions to the maritime sector. Companies like Svitzer see it becoming an important power option in the sustainability transition. They see the combination of battery power and methanol engines as safe, efficient and reliable. And once again in this work we are showing how marine batteries can play a fundamental role in decarbonizing the maritime industry, right here and now.”

Gareth Prowse, Head of Decarbonisation at Svitzer, said: “The launch of a first-of-its-kind newbuild project with our partners at Uzmar Shipyard is a significant milestone for our decarbonisation ambitions.  The battery electric tug will mean we can deliver our services to customers in the Port of Gothenburg with significantly lower carbon emissions, and still to the highest operational and safety standards.”

Uzmar CEO, A. Noyan Altug, added: “By integrating cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices, we are not just building a tug; we are helping to shape the future of green maritime operations.”

The order comes as fast-growing AYK Energy is seeing a surge in demand for its batteries across the maritime industry with the manufacturer supplying tugs, OSVs, superyachts, fishing vessels, work boats and even large container vessels as part of their power mix.

The battery for the new build Svizer tug will be built at AYK’s 5000 sqm automated manufacturing plant in in Zhuhai China which opened in 2023. The plant has a production capacity of 300MWH a year with the ability to expand to 1GWH.

Photo credit: AYK Energy
Published: 13 March, 2025

Singapore-headquartered AET, a MISC subsidiary, and maritime battery developer and manufacturer Fleetzero recently signed an agreement for the development of the world’s longest-range plug-in hybrid-electric vessel. 

Under the agreement, one of AET's Lightering Support Vessels (LSVs) will be retrofitted with a plug-in hybrid-electric system.

The vessel will operate primarily on battery power, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by ~82% when compared to conventional LSVs on a tank-to-wake basis. This is estimated to avoid 1,220 tonnes of greenhouse gases significantly reducing fuel consumption and maintenance costs , while maintaining high safety standards.

The signing ceremony took place at the AET Offshore office in Galveston, Texas, with representatives from both companies present. The agreement was signed by Capt. Ron Wood, AET's Global Director, Commercial, and Mr Steven Henderson, Fleetzero's CEO. 

Zahid Osman, President & Group CEO of MISC Group, said: “By integrating plug-in hybrid electric solutions into our fleet, we are transforming ambition into action to deliver more energy with less emissions. This pilot project also allows us to evaluate the feasibility and operational performance of this technology, paving the way for potential deployment across AET’s and potentially MISC’s fleet.”

Mr Steven Henderson, Co-Founder & CEO of Fleetzero, said: “We are so excited about this project because it promises to advance marine electrification in a commercially viable way, and the impact is immense – drastically reducing emissions from the vessel operations.”

Photo credit: AET and Fleetzero
Published: 11 March, 2025

CMA CGM is moving forward with its plans to build and deploy for operation a brand-new zero emissions inland transport solution in Vietnam after recently signing an order contract for a 182 TEU electric container ship from China’s Shan Dong New Energy Shipbuilding. 

Shan Dong New Energy Shipbuilding said the new vessel is expected to be used in CMA CGM’s projects in Vietnam, following the company’s announcement in December last year that it would deploy a new zero-emission inland transport solution in Vietnam – a 100% green electricity barge coupled with dedicated charging infrastructures supplied by a new solar farm at Gemalink terminal in Cai Mep, in which CMA CGM holds a 25% stake.

The new vessel is expected to start operating from 2026, and Nike has committed to using the barge to transport its products between Binh Duong Province and the Gemalink terminal.

From Binh Duong Province to the deep-sea terminal of Gemalink, the e-barge will make the 180km return journey emitting zero greenhouse gas emissions, enabling to reduce by 778 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year, powered by electric batteries only.

The e-barge, an innovation co-designed by CMA CGM's New Build and R&D teams in partnership with CATL for the battery technology, will be recharged using 100% certified renewable electricity and will transport over 50 000TEUs annually.

Xavier Leclercq, Vice President, Newbuilding, CMA CGM, said the cooperation is an important step for CMA CGM to promote the construction of a green inland river fleet in the Asian market.

Related: CMA CGM to develop fully-electric barge to serve inland waterways in Vietnam

Photo credit: Shan Dong New Energy Shipbuilding
Published: 6 March, 2025