Coastal sustainability alliance partners Ken energy to deploy electric supply boats in Singapore

One of Singapore's zero-emissions e-supply boats will be designed and built locally 
 

Ken Energy, a green energy solutions firm, has signed a letter of intent with the Coastal Sustainability Alliance (CSA) to purchase fully-electric supply (e-supply) boats from offshore marine engineering company PaxOcean. These e-supply boats will be among the first zero-emissions electric vessels to operate in the region and will be designed, built, and deployed in Singapore.

PaxOcean has designed and engineered the first-generation e-supply boat, PXO-EXL-1, which will support coastal ships' supply deliveries with improved energy and operational efficiencies. The e-supply vessel has received in-principle approval from the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), Bureau Veritas Marine, and Registro Italiano Navale (RINA).

PaxOcean and CSA member Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine Singapore (TCOMS) are collaborating to create digital twins of the electric vessels to enable optimal operational performance while considering the various metocean conditions in which the ships will operate.

Desmond Chong, Managing Director of Ken Energy, stated that the company is committed to advancing the use of renewable energy and alternative fuels to reduce emissions and promote a greener environment. He added that Ken Energy is exploring the use of PXO e-supply vessels to supply provisions and ship spares to its own fleet of bunker tankers, anticipating optimisation and efficiency in the marine supply chain.

The PXO e-supply vessels are expected to operate in tandem with a charging electric infrastructure network developed in partnership with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Jurong Port. This initiative aligns with MPA’s directive that all new harbour crafts must be fully electric, capable of using B100 biofuel or compatible with net-zero fuels by 2030.

Tan Thai Yong, Chief Executive Officer of PaxOcean and Chairperson of the CSA Council, acknowledged Ken Energy’s commitment as a significant recognition of CSA’s capabilities in transforming Singapore’s coastal maritime ecosystem. He noted growing global interest and support for the PXO e-vessel series and expressed pride in shaping the future of the country's maritime supply chain.

CSA is also working on a demand consolidation system with major ship owners and managers to improve operational and cost efficiencies. This includes optimised routing and the utilisation of return vessels to reduce voyage costs.

In support of local businesses, over 70% of the e-supply boat components will be sourced from Singapore SMEs, benefiting at least seven companies and contributing to a more resilient maritime ecosystem.

Tan added that CSA has made significant progress in five strategic areas: designing and building electric vessels, improving supply chain resilience, establishing electric charging infrastructure, optimising fleet and maritime logistics, and creating career growth opportunities and skills training.

Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry and Transformation) of MPA, welcomed the momentum in harbourcraft electrification and emphasised the importance of early engagement with partners like Ken Energy and CSA to optimise vessel design for local deployment.

CSA is led by Kuok Maritime and includes PaxOcean Holdings Pte Ltd, Pacific Carriers Limited (PCL), and PACC Offshore Services Holdings (POSH), along with members such as A*STAR, GenPlus, Jurong Port Singapore, Sea Forest, TCOMS, and TES. The Alliance is focused on building a next-generation maritime ecosystem and accelerating decarbonisation and electrification efforts by 2030.

Ken Energy Pte. Ltd. develops and implements green energy solutions, promoting renewable energy and alternative fuels to reduce emissions and support environmental sustainability.

Kuok (Singapore) Limited (KSL), founded in 1948, is an investment holding company with interests in maritime, agrisolutions, property, and equity investments. Subsidiaries under KSL include POSH, PCL, PaxOcean Group, AllGreen Properties, Agrifert Group, and K2 Data Centres.

The Kuok Maritime group, comprising PaxOcean, PCL, POSH, PWPL, and KSL Maritime Ventures, serves the maritime value chain through offshore services, shipping, newbuilding, and support for start-ups offering innovative industry solutions. The group leads the Coastal Sustainability Alliance and is committed to high safety standards, innovation, and sustainability in the maritime sector.

PaxOcean, a subsidiary of KSL, owns and operates five shipyards in Singapore, China, and Indonesia. Established in 2007, PaxOcean provides services in newbuilding, module fabrication, green recycling, repairs, and conversion of both conventional and renewable energy assets.

This article was originally published on Marine & Industrial Report newspaper Vol 45 No.3 Issue last June 30, 2023.