MPA Shortlists 11 Proposals For Fully Electric Harbor Craft Designs

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has shortlisted a total of 11 passenger launch and cargo lighter vessel designs submitted by seven companies and consortia for the full electric harbor craft (e-HC) program, says an article published on offshore energy website.

Summary

• MPA initiated an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the full electric harbor craft (e-HC) program on July 10, 2023.
• 55 proposals were received from 32 international and local companies and consortia.
• 11 vessel designs submitted by seven companies and consortia were shortlisted after a thorough evaluation process.
• Collaborative efforts with research institutes (RI) and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) aim to enhance vessel designs, safety, cybersecurity, and reduce energy requirements.
• The market approach involves progressively marketing enhanced e-HC reference designs to interested parties and aggregating production demand from the industry.
• Despite higher upfront capital costs, total cost of ownership for e-HCs can be comparable to conventional harbor craft due to energy cost savings and reduced maintenance.

Expression Of Interest (EOI) And Evaluation Process

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) initiated an Expression of Interest (EOI) on July 10, 2023, for the full electric harbor craft (e-HC) program. The initiative garnered significant interest, receiving 55 proposals from 32 international and local companies and consortia. Following a thorough evaluation process, MPA shortlisted 11 vessel designs submitted by seven companies and consortia.

Collaborative Efforts With Research Institutes And Institutes Of Higher Learning (IHLs)

MPA, in collaboration with various research institutes (RI) and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), including Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, and others, will support an enhancement program for researchers in the maritime domain. The aim is to enhance vessel designs, safety, cybersecurity, and reduce energy requirements, thus lowering overall costs and supporting continuous improvements.

Market Approach And Cost Savings

Upon completion of designs and prototypes, participants will progressively market enhanced e-HC reference designs to interested parties and aggregate production demand from the industry. This approach, along with production at scale, is expected to generate cost savings for companies transitioning to e-HCs. Despite higher upfront capital costs, the total cost of ownership for e-HCs can be comparable to conventional harbor craft, thanks to energy cost savings, reduced maintenance, and operational downtime.

Technological Advancements And Business Models

MPA highlights the technical strengths of submitted e-HC designs, including optimized hull forms, high-energy-density batteries with active liquid cooling, and advanced battery thermal detection and protection systems. Additionally, participants proposed business models to optimize harbor craft resources at the sector level while lowering total ownership costs for individual companies.

Classification Society Approvals And Next Steps

Six out of the 11 e-HC designs have obtained relevant technical approvals from classification societies such as American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Bureau Veritas (BV), China Classification Society (CCS), DNV, and RINA. These designs, submitted by Coastal Sustainability Alliance, marinEV, and Pyxis Maritime, will seek to aggregate industry demand. MPA will collaborate with the remaining five proposals to further develop their designs, focusing on hull and electrical system optimization, fire-resilient battery room design, and cyber health monitoring systems to enhance energy efficiency and safety.

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Source: offshore energy

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