AYK powers Svitzer hybrid tug battery renewal
AYK Energy has completed a major battery renewal project supplying advanced marine batteries for four hybrid tugs operating at Chevron Australia’s Gorgon LNG terminal in Western Australia.
The marine battery manufacturer, replaced the end-of-life battery systems on the Svitzer Euro, Svitzer Perentie, Svitzer Boodie and Svitzer Dugong.
It’s an upgrade marks a significant step forward in vessel electrification, using AYK’s new high-performance Aires battery systems.
“It is brilliant to be working on these four Svitzer tugs again, which are real trailblazers as some of the first diesel-electric hybrid tugs ever built,” said Chris Kruger, founder, AYK Energy.
“These new Aires batteries are not only much more powerful, they are safer, cheaper, easier to maintain and demonstrate how marine batteries can play a fundamental role in decarbonising the maritime industry.”
Quicker recharging
Each tug is now powered by 1.3 MWh of AYK’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, built at the company’s 5,000 sqm automated manufacturing plant in Zhuhai, China.
The batteries offer twice the energy density of the original systems and recharging fully in just 1.5 hours.
Mr Kruger said demand for AYK’s battery technology is surging across the maritime sector as operators accelerate vessel electrification efforts.
The company, which plans to build new factories in the US and Europe, expects sales to reach 100 MWh in 2025. With safer, more powerful batteries, AYK Energy is positioning itself at the forefront of sustainable maritime innovation.
AYK Energy is also exhibiting this week at Europort Trade Fair in Rotterdam, November 4 to 7, Hall 1, Booth 1314.
