Wärtsilä partnership supports delivery of world-first battery-powered self-unloading bulk carrier
Marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy has reached a major milestone in its expansion, with the deployment of its Aries+S battery system on what is set to become the world’s first battery-powered self-unloading bulk carrier.
The company is working in partnership with Wärtsilä to supply CSL Australia (CSL) for its new 11,000 dwt vessel, MV Yampu. The vessel is currently under construction at Jiangjiang Nanyang Shipyard.
The AYK Energy Aries+S battery system, with a capacity of 6,758 kWh, is set to begin sea trials shortly following the Yampu’s recent naming ceremony.
The AYK Energy Aries+S battery system will form part of the vessel’s hybrid diesel-electric power system. Approximately 50% of the vessel’s energy requirements will be provided by a combination of shore power and battery energy storage, with the design providing a pathway to 100% electric operations in future.
Chris Kruger, founder and President of AYK, said the project marks a significant step forward for battery power in bulk shipping. He said:“Collaboration with Wärtsilä was central to this project’s success and we’d like to thank them and CSL for trusting AYK to provide the battery system. We are very proud to work on this groundbreaking bulk cargo vessel design and provide a battery with the highest standards of safety, quality and performance. We have listened to industry and developed our range to deliver both higher energy density which is ideal for ferries, workboats and tugs. And at the same time we’re innovating systems that strikes a balance between power and energy density which works better for hybrid applications. AYK is now offering the widest range of system choices in the maritime industry.”
The MV Yampu contract builds on a run of large-scale installations for AYK Energy, including large battery systems for hybrid ferries and specialist vessels across Europe. This includes a deal with Wärtsilä to supply the largest battery ever installed on an ice-class vessel for Germany’s new polar research ship Polarstern. The partnership for the new diesel-electric vessel will see AYK deliver a 16 megawatt-hour battery system, weighing 131 tonnes, to the vessel in 2028.
The MV Yampu will be owned and operated by CSL for Adbri Cement, formerly Adelaide Brighton Cement to support limestone operations in South Australia. The self-loading and self-discharging bulk carrier will replace Adbri’s existing vessel Accolade II and will carry up to 2.7 million tonnes of limestone per year, a 35% increase in carrying capacity.
