Coastal Sustainability Alliance, Ken Energy to deploy electric supply boats in Singapore
Chong Xin Wei
THE Coastal Sustainability Alliance (CSA) and green energy solutions firm Ken Energy will operate one of the first zero-emissions electric boats in the region. To that end, they have signed a letter of intent to purchase electric supply boats from offshore marine engineering company, PaxOcean.
The boats will be among the first to be designed, built and deployed here, said both parties in a joint press release on Monday (Apr 24).
As only a letter of intent was signed, there is no delivery date and deal amount for the vessels.
Ken Energy’s managing director Desmond Chong said: “We aim to advance the use of renewable energy and alternative fuels, as a means of reducing emissions and promoting a more sustainable and greener environment.
“By adopting new technologies and ship designs, we anticipate a boost in optimisation for a more efficient marine supply chain.”
The vessels will play an integral role in supporting coastal ships’ supply deliveries with improved energy and operational efficiency.
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It will operate in tandem with the charging electric infrastructure network from Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Jurong Port’s partnership.
The deployment comes amid MPA’s directive that all new harbour craft must be fully electric, capable of using pure biodiesel or be compatible with net-zero fuels by 2030.
Furthermore, PaxOcean will partner CSA member Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine Singapore to create “digital twins” of the electric vessels – enabling optimal operational performance while considering “metocean conditions”.
Apart from the commercial sale of the electric vessels, CSA is also working with major ship owners and managers to increase operational and cost efficiencies.
This will be achieved through optimised routine and utilisation of return vessels, which can reduce voyage costs.
More than 70 per cent of the electric supply boat components are also sourced from local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This meets CSA’s goal to strengthen the competitiveness of Singapore SMEs, while uplifting the maritime industry’s value chain.
CSA is spearheaded by conglomerate Kuok Group’s subsidiary Kuok Maritime, which comprises PaxOcean, Pacific Carriers and PACC Offshore Services.
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