Singapore’s first fully electric cargo vessel — backed by Idan Ofer’s Eastern Pacific Shipping — has completed its debut cargo and crew deliveries.
It marks the first of several key milestones outlined by partners Yinson GreenTech and Eastern Pacific, with aims to integrate electric vessels into last-mile delivery operations to significantly reduce Scope 3 emissions.
The cargo delivery was carried out yesterday, 25 June, from the Hydromover to Eastern Pacific’s 50,300-dwt MR2 product tanker Pacific Sentinel (built 2019).
Eastern Pacific chief executive Cyril Ducau said: “This milestone underscores our dedication to advancing sustainable shipping solutions and signals a pivotal stride in minimising our industry’s carbon impact.
“It paves the way for further collaborations with (Yinson GreenTech) and fellow industry pioneers to propel maritime electrification to new heights.”
The crew transfer was executed on 3 May, from Singapore’s West Coast Pier. The crew were comfortably dropped off at Raffles Reserved Anchorage to Eastern Pacific’s 209,000-dwt bulk carrier Mount Jadiete (built 2022).
The Hydromover was first launched by Yinson GreenTech in November 2023, with the collaboration between marinEV and shipowner Eastern Pacific starting in April 2024.
The light cargo 18.5-metre electric vessel can carry up to 25 tonnes of capacity with up to eight passengers and four crew members.
It has a cruising speed of eight to 10 knots, going up to 12 knots at top speed.
At half load, the vessel’s range can go up to 40 nautical miles (74 km).
The vessel also minimises the risk of human errors with its advanced decision-making capabilities, including energy optimisation, waypoint calculation and collision detection.
Due to its improved energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs, it is said to generate zero emissions, potentially reducing operational costs by up to 50% compared with conventional vessels.
The vessel was designed, engineered and constructed in Singapore, along with Yinson GreenTech’s other Goal Zero Consortium partners, including SeaTech Solutions and Shift Clean Energy.
marineEV managing director Jan-Viggo Johansen said: “This achievement not only supports the Singapore government’s ambitious decarbonisation goals but also showcases the immense potential of electric vessels for a cleaner maritime future.”
“We see this as a significant step forward and an invitation to other offtakers and like-minded partners who share our vision for a sustainable industry to join us in shaping the future of maritime transportation.”
From 2030, all new harbour craft operating in the Port of Singapore will have to be fully electric, be capable of using B100 biofuel, or be compatible with net zero fuels such as hydrogen.
