Battery-powered vessels ‘no longer experimental’
Replacing or complementing conventional engines with high-capacity batteries can offer ‘significant emissions reductions’.
Wärtsilä Marine Electrical and Power Systems Business Director, Torsten Büssow, asserts that battery-powered vessels now have a proven market position that will only become more entrenched as global emissions regulations tighten.
Indeed, a recent report by research and consulting firm Fact.MR predicts that the electric ship market will grow from US$9.8 billion to US$22 billion over the next ten years, with particular expansion in the ferry sector.
Büssow emphasises that battery-electric propulsion is now proven “most effective” in short-sea and shuttle ferry operations, “where routes are frequent, predictable and supported by charging at both ends”.
“These types of vessels benefit from very high system efficiency, reduced electrical losses and integrated solutions such as shore power, DC grids and advanced energy management,” he explains.
“Full electrification works particularly well where dwell times are consistent and this is already visible in new high-speed passenger ferries and lightweight electric designs entering service.”
Asserting that “electrification is no longer experimental – it is fundamentally reshaping how vessels are designed, built and upgraded”, Büssow sees tightening global emissions standards as only enhancing the sector’s progress.
“Regulation is accelerating, notably for passenger vessels heading towards stricter greenhouse gas requirements by 2030, making electrification an increasingly-pragmatic pathway to compliance.
“Battery-electric and hybrid systems directly reduce CO2, NOX, particulate matter, noise and local emissions, while also smoothing engine load profiles and extending machinery life. These efficiency gains translate into lower operating costs and higher reliability.
“As low-carbon fuels enter the market at a price premium, technologies that improve energy efficiency become even more important. Integrated electrical architectures – DC grids, shore power capability, PTO/PTI (power take-off/power take-in) and advanced energy management systems – help operators minimise electrical losses, optimise engine operation and maintain dependable schedules. For owners navigating both regulatory pressure and cost exposure, electrification offers a practical, scalable way to meet compliance targets without compromising performance.”
Advantages and challenges
Büssow lists the main advantages of electric-battery vessel power as very high propulsion efficiency (up to 90%) with minimal energy losses, significant emissions reductions, lower fuel consumption, less engine wear and improved reliability, quieter operation and better passenger experience, and modular and scalable options, including containerised battery systems.
That said, he also confirms a “number of challenges remain” with the technology – albeit while “continuous improvements are being made” – such as space and weight requirements, including thermal management and fire safety systems, infrastructure, and complex retrofitting due to cable routing, cooling and structural considerations.
“While current technology already supports full electrification for short routes and hybrids for longer ones, broader uptake will benefit from continued advances in charging infrastructure, battery density, cooling solutions and standardised port systems,” he continues.
“For longer or less-predictable routes, hybrid systems remain the practical choice … [they] provide the necessary range and operational resilience while still delivering substantial emissions and fuel consumption reductions. As infrastructure develops and battery density improves, more vessel types will follow – but today, the sectors best positioned for full electrification are those operating short, repeatable coastal profiles.”
Büssow sees the “real opportunity” for the sector lying in integration, “Combining batteries with shore power, energy-management systems, PTO/PTI capability and modern electrical architectures such as DC grid.”
“Together, these elements can deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, reliability and lifecycle cost,” he says.
“The industry also recognises that it cannot wait for a single ‘perfect’ sustainable fuel. Electrification provides a practical bridge, enabling ships to operate more efficiently today while preparing for low-carbon fuels as they mature.
“Early adopters are already benefiting from quieter ships, reduced maintenance and strong compliance performance. As charging networks and onboard power systems continue to scale, electrification will define the future of short-sea shipping, and support a smoother, more economical transition across the wider fleet.”
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Image: battery-electric high-speed ferry from Molsinjen. Credit: Wärtsilä.
