Shell partnered with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) as they aim to cut emissions by electrifying harbor craft in the country. As part of their partnership, the oil and gas giant debuted its first-ever 200-seater global electric ferry at its Singapore refinery-petrochemical complex on Pulau Bukom on April 17.
The port authority will build the relevant charging infrastructures for the electric ferries and conduct R&D initiatives for low and zero-carbon fuels for the next five years, MPA stated.
“MPA is committed to working with industry partners, like Shell, to drive decarbonisation efforts in the maritime sector. Our partnership with Shell will tap into both MPA’s and Shell’s expertise in maritime decarbonisation, renewable energy and innovation. The MoU is an important step towards achieving our 2030 goal for all new harbour craft to be fully electric, be capable of using 100% biofuels or be compatible with net zero fuels, and achieving net zero emissions in our harbour craft,pleasure craft and tugboat sectors by 2050.”
Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA
Notably, the Penguin Refresh is also the country’s first operational electric vessel.
Shell to launch a total of 3 electric vessels by August
Reuters reports that Shell’s Penguin Refresh is the first of three all-electric harbor craft the company plans to deploy. The first electric ferry is scheduled to operate in May, while the other two are anticipated by August 2023.
The Penguin Refresh is equipped with a 1.2 MWh Li-ion battery system. It boasts more than 20 knots (18 knots at night) speeds without emissions and noise.
These vessels will provide transportation from mainland Singapore to Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Singapore at Bukom Island (and vice versa).
Shell estimates that the ferries will transport 1.8 million people each year, or as many as 3,000 passengers every day. Furthermore, all these planned ferries can accommodate 200 passengers on each trip.
Remarkably, they are projected to cut approximately 2,000 tons of fuel each year.
See Also:
- Shell USA is acquiring EV charging network Volta for $169 million
- Shell and ABB unveil its “World’s fastest” EV charger in Germany
- World’s largest electric ferry with over 2,000 passenger capacity to sail in 2 years
- ZEN Yachts raises about $5.9M in Series A funding with new solar electric catamaran orders
- Polestar partners Candela, introduces the electric boat Candela C-8
With the introduction of the electric ferry, Singapore’s port administration has taken a step toward its 2030 mandate that all new harbor vessels operating in its waters be powered by electricity, biofuels, or net-zero fuels.
“The transition to a sustainable future will take time. We need to start now to achieve our 2050 net zero emissions targets.”
Chee Hong Tat, Senior minister for transport
