Business Sectors
Events
Contents
Register to read more articles.
Singapore charges ahead with decarbonising its coastal logistics ecosystem
All-electric prototype supply vessel and tug advance Singapore’s ambition to have all new harbour craft operate fully electric or on green fuels by 2030
It was an ‘electric’ day on 5 February for Singapore as the Coastal Sustainability Alliance (CSA) launched its first fully electric harbour supply boat and laid the keel of its first fully electric tug at PaxOcean Batam.
These two prototype electric vessels are among the first and largest electric harbour craft designed for operations in Singapore’s coastal waters, advancing the city-state’s ambitions to have all new harbour craft operate fully electric, use B100 or be compatible with net-zero fuels by 2030.
The design for the e-supply boat, or PXO-EXL-1, was one of the shortlisted designs chosen under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s (MPA) Expression of Interest calling for the design and development of efficient, cost-effective electric harbour craft. The vessel’s design was optimised by the Technology Centre for Offshore Marine (TCOMS) Singapore and the Singapore Institute of Technology.
Classed by Bureau Veritas (BV) and RINA, 26-m PXO-EXL-1 will be capable of zero-emissions operation in the Port of Singapore, using two 500-kW lithium iron phosphate batteries to reach speeds up to 8 knots, cruising up to 80 nautical miles on a full charge and it can carry payloads of 40 tonnes or 60 pallets.
According to CSA, the electric-powered lighter’s efficient hull design, combined with operationally efficient marine logistics, allows it to achieve 60% energy savings over a conventional lighter making multiple trips, providing significant cost and carbon emissions reduction for the industry.
The CSA plans to explore offtake agreements with international shipping agencies and trial the electric harbour supply boat in H2 2025, while the construction of the electric tug is set to be completed in Q1 2026.
Electric tug
Meanwhile, the PXO-ACE-1 electric tug, designed with a bollard pull of 50 tonnes, incorporates advanced technologies for propulsion, two 1,500-kW lithium titanate oxide batteries, and battery-management systems. Researchers are using digital twin models to verify the development of the electric tug to meet the operational requirements within the Port of Singapore.
Being built to BV class, the e-tug is future fuel-ready for zero-carbon fuels, ensuring the vessel’s flexibility and adaptability to net-zero fuel throughout an extended service life.
The electric tug’s development was supported under the MPA Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund.
Pacific Workboats plans to operate the PaxOcean-built e-tug from Jurong Port and Kuok Maritime Group (KMG) is investing in the construction and trials of the e-supply boat.
Singapore-based PaxOcean, a member of KMG, is part of CSA. Other members of the co-operative alliance are Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Sea Forrest Power Solutions, GenPlus, Jurong Port Singapore, TCOMS and TES.
KMG is working with Jurong Port to provide the electric charging infrastructure to support these electric vessels.
PaxOcean Group managing director and chief executive and CSA chair, Tan Thai Yong, called the PXO-EXL-1 e-supply boat “a testament to our commitment to decarbonising Singapore’s coastal logistics ecosystem.” He said these electric vessels bring the Singapore “closer to achieving a green and operationally efficient maritime sector.”
MPA assistant chief executive, industry and transformation, Kenneth Lim, observed the two vessels are “the fruits of industry and researchers’ partnerships and collaboration in driving maritime decarbonisation, and advancing energy-efficient solutions.”
CSA intends to build a sustainable green supply chain and maritime business ecosystem in Singapore and more than 50% of components of the PaxOcean vessels will be sourced locally. Sea Forrest Power Solutions, for example, is the supplier of critical components such as motors, battery-management systems and batteries for the e-supply boat.
Connect with industry leaders across the Asian and Middle Eastern maritime sectors through Riviera’s premium events. Located conveniently in Singapore, we provide unparalleled access to the heart of the Asian maritime market.
Events
Maritime Environmental Protection Webinar Week
12 May 2025
BST - ONLINE
The illusion of safety: what we're getting wrong about crews, tech, and fatigue
13 May 2025CET - ONLINE
Responsible Ship Recycling Forum 2025
14 May 2025London
© 2024 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.
