Echandia drives hybrid icebreaker demand
Echandia has secured a major contract to supply a 3.7 MWh battery system for a new hybrid icebreaker vessel for the Canadian Coast Guard.
The Swedish maritime battery technology company was selected by ABB to provide the advanced system that will support vessel electrification and help reduce vessel emissions in Arctic operations.
“This contract is a significant milestone for Echandia. It not only opens the door to a new and strategically important market, but also underscores the trust placed in our technology by industry leaders like ABB and the Canadian Coast Guard,” said Torbjörn Bäck, CEO of Echandia.
Growing market
The new hybrid icebreaker vessel will be built at Helsinki Shipyard and marks Echandia’s first entry into the Canadian market – a milestone that reinforces its growing global presence in sustainable vessel propulsion.
ABB awarded the order based on the performance of Echandia’s LTO-based (lithium-titanate oxide) battery system.
“Echandia offered a competitive solution based on lifetime, reliability, and safety, so in the end, it was an easy choice for us,” said Samuli Hänninen, global segment manager, Icebreaking ships at ABB Marine & Ports.
The battery system delivery is scheduled for the second half of 2026, with the vessel expected to enter service by 2028.
Earlier this year, we reported that Echandia secured major funding that will enable expansion across Europe and the US to meet growing maritime sector demands.
The funding, from Alantra’s energy transition fund Klima, together with Swedish venture capital fund Industrifonden and additional investments from Swedish SEB Greentech VC and Japanese venture capital firm EEI – has allowed it to expand its global reach.
