Agency set up to break barriers to electrification

The International Electric Marine Association (IEMA) aims to enable collaboration within a nascent sector facing unprecedented challenges as the world moves towards alternative fuels.

The IEMA says its members, who already number more than 40 since its inception late last year, ’are committed to spearheading collaboration that dismantles barriers obstructing the widespread adoption of marine electrification’.

”Although IEMA primarily focuses on the electric marine industry, we support any viable zero-emission solutions that further our mission to decarbonize the world’s waters,” it says.

Calling itself ’the global hub for the electric marine sector’, the IEMA comprises companies manufacturing and supplying electric marine products, from zero-emission boats, batteries, and powertrains to chargers, electric grid, and infrastructure solutions.

Businesses of all sizes, from tech startups to multinational corporations, can benefit ’from our top-tier advocacy, business insights, and industry data’. the association says.

Three main barriers

IEMA president and founder Adria Jover identified the three main barriers are Technology, Infrastructure and Public Perception.

“The main barrier, as with any industry adopting electrification, is the infrastructure,” he told Maritime Journal.“It is currently not ready and requires political will for key public or private infrastructures, such as ports, harbours, and urban fluvial areas, to rethink the electric utility supporting the electric grid. This is necessary to supply the exponential demand from electric charging stations across the shores.

“The second barrier is Technology. Even though electric-powered boats have been around for decades, this is still a nascent industry in terms of mass transportation. The exciting new technologies need more exposure and promotion.

“And third is Perception. Governments and municipalities are wary of investing in what they perceive to be untried and high-capex investments that they fear will be obsolete in a few years. IEMA’s role is to allay these fears and show that many of today’s electric technologies have been developed to be future proof.

“There is also the incorrect perception that electric boats aren’t safe. This is factually wrong.”

The IEMA will place itself at the heart of discussions between regulatory bodies and associations to do with the future standardisations for the sector, paying special attention to safety, interface and infrastructure considerations, Jover says.

“We have a clear intention to move into the lobbying space in the near future, but as of now we need to focus on gathering data and establishing a clear baseline for the current state of affairs and build out our already compelling story.”