Singapore releases new standard for electric harbour craft charging

With Singapore pushing to rapidly expand vessel electrification by 2030 to reduce ship emissions in port, a new technical reference has been published to guide the development of electric harbour craft charging infrastructure and battery swap systems.

Technical Reference (TR) 1361 was released by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Enterprise Singapore, through the Singapore Standards Council (SSC) to establish safety requirements for the electric harbour craft (e-HC) charging infrastructure and battery swap systems. It includes measures to protect personnel and property from electrical and mechanical hazards during the installation and operation of the charging systems. The TR establishes the technical requirements to promote interoperability.

MPA said the TR 136 incorporates widely adopted industry standards on EV charging systems, such as the Combined Charging System, and aligns with local electricity supply conditions and codes, as well as international EV charging and battery swapping standards.

Calling the technical reference “ a critical step” in the development of electric harbour craft charging infrastructure, MPA chief executive, Teo Eng Dih, said, “By setting clear safety and operational guidelines, the new standard will give industry players greater confidence in electrification and pave the way for wider e-HC adoption.”

The technical reference was developed by the Working Group (WG) on Electric Harbour Crafts Charging System, which includes the MPA, charging equipment and battery suppliers, e-HC manufacturers, operators and other maritime stakeholders.