Posted on August 6, 2021 at 5:51 PM by
The maritime executive
A coalition of companies, research institutes, public authorities and a classification society plan to work together to develop Singapore’s first comprehensive electric vessel supply chain, which they believe can become a model for decarbonizing port operations. The effort, which will be led by Keppel Offshore & Marine, aims to launch the electricity supply chain by 2025. Studies indicate that with around 1,600 diesel-powered port ships operating in the Port of Singapore, the electrification can have a significant impact on carbon emissions.
The scope of the project includes the development of a competitively priced electrically powered harbor craft, near shore charging infrastructure, as well as the development and development of core talent in maritime operations. In the first phase, the coalition will conduct research and feasibility studies and pursue the design and development of an electric vessel and charging infrastructure. The project will include the modernization of harbor boats and the installation of charging stations. The partners will then conduct trials and seek to expand the project.
“Electrification has the potential to accelerate the decarbonization of our local cottage industry, so we are delighted to support the joint industry-research consortium led by Keppel in their electric vessel project,” said Quah Ley Hoon, Managing Director of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. “It is one of three consortia comprising 30 companies and research institutes across the value chain that we support under the Maritime GreenFuture Fund. “
Keppel O&M, as a global systems integrator, will leverage its experience in designing, building and digitizing ships to modernize a 30-passenger passenger ferry with systems for the ship to be powered by electricity . Keppel O&M, in collaboration with DNV, Energy Research Institute @ NTU, Eng Hup Shipping, Envision Digital, Surbana Jurong and the Technology Center for Offshore and Marine, Singapore will undertake efforts to test, test and operationalize end-to-end solutions for the port’s electric barge.
Keppel O & M’s Floating Living Lab will be used to test the charging infrastructure of electric vessels, thereby accelerating the piloting and commercialization of the project in a cost-effective manner.
The partners believe that developing a complete electric vessel supply chain in Singapore will also promote the growth of local SME technology and the supply chain ecosystem. Chris Ong, CEO of Keppel O&M also noted that the same electrification solutions can potentially be applied in other segments of the offshore and maritime industry and possibly in other sectors as well.
Grants were secured by Keppel O&M of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the Singapore Maritime Institute under the Green Energy and Technology program and the Maritime Decarbonization R&D program.
