Yinson GreenTech launches Hydroglyder at Offshore Energy Week 2024
19 Nov 20243 min read
Summary
- Yinson GreenTech has unveiled the Hydroglyder at Offshore Energy Week 2024, marking a major step in its push for sustainable maritime innovation. Trials for the new electric vessel will begin in early 2025, following the successful launch of the Hydromover, Singapore’s first fully electric cargo vessel.
- The company has also partnered with Norway’s Zeabuz AS to integrate autonomous and remote-control capabilities into its marinEV fleet. This collaboration combines Zeabuz’s autonomous technology with Yinson’s electric vessels to improve operational efficiency, reduce manpower needs, and support Singapore’s maritime digitalisation goals.
- Together, Yinson GreenTech and Zeabuz aim to advance the adoption of autonomous electric vessels while aligning with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Industry Transformation Map. Their partnership underscores a shared commitment to decarbonisation, innovation, and building the skills needed for the next generation of sustainable maritime operations.
SINGAPORE, 19 NOVEMBER 2024 – Yinson GreenTech launches the Hydroglyder today at Offshore Energy Week 2024, its latest addition to its marine electric vessel fleet. The vessel represents a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to advancing sustainable and innovative solutions in maritime transport.
According to an email sent to Value Chain Asia, trials for the Hydroglyder are scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. The Hydroglyder builds on the success of the Hydromover, Yinson GreenTech’s fully electric cargo vessel that commenced commercial trials in Singapore waters in September 2024.
This launch comes as Yinson GreenTech continues to collaborate with industry leaders like Zeabuz AS to integrate cutting-edge autonomous and remote-control capabilities into its marinEV fleet. Yinson GreenTech and Zeabuz AS, a leading autonomous maritime technology company, have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to integrate autonomous and remote-control capabilities into Yinson GreenTech’s fleet of electric marine vessels.
The collaboration, formalized during the Singapore Norway Innovation Conference on 6 November 2024, marks a pivotal step toward decarbonising Singapore’s maritime industry by leveraging electrification and autonomous maritime operations.
The partnership aims to enhance efficiency in marine transportation by combining Zeabuz’s proprietary hardware and software with Yinson GreenTech’s marinEV fleet of electric vessels. This aligns with both companies’ shared vision of delivering intelligent, crew-optimized solutions to modernize the maritime sector.
The Hydromover, a fully electric cargo vessel, began commercial trials in Singapore waters in September 2024. Six potential partners, including two Goal Zero partners—Lita Ocean and DM Sea Logistics—as well as OPL Services, Kanlian Ferry, RW Marine Services, and Tian San Shipping, have provided letters of intent to charter the Hydromover for operational trials. During the trials, Wilhelmsen Ships Services became the first company to transport cargo using this fully-electric vessel.
Addressing Industry Challenges with Innovation
By integrating autonomous technology with electric marine vessels, this collaboration aims to address the maritime sector’s long-term manpower challenges. The solutions will reduce onboard crew requirements, improve operational efficiency, and elevate maritime roles by introducing new knowledge-based skillsets, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and remote operations. These advancements directly support the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s (MPA) Industry Transformation Map, particularly its emphasis on digitalisation.
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“To fulfill Yinson GreenTech’s vision of building a net-zero world, marinEV champions sustainable innovation through strategic partnerships,” said Jan-Viggo Johansen, Managing Director of marinEV. “This collaboration with Zeabuz represents a key milestone in accelerating the adoption of autonomous solutions to improve maritime safety and efficiency while reducing environmental impact.”
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“By combining electrification, onboard autonomy, and remote supervisory control, we are laying a strong foundation for sustainable maritime operations,” said Øyvind Smogeli, CEO and Co-Founder of Zeabuz. “We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Yinson GreenTech to shape the future of sustainable, technology-driven marine transport.”
Commitment to a Sustainable Future
Yinson GreenTech and Zeabuz are committed to driving the mass commercial adoption of autonomous electric vessels while adhering to MPA standards and actively contributing to the evolving regulatory landscape in autonomous maritime operations. By partnering with local institutions of higher learning, the collaboration aims to build the industry’s capacity to safely and efficiently scale autonomous maritime operations.