Agreement strengthens AYK Energy’s position in the marine battery market while supporting Grimaldi Group’s investment in lower-emission vessel operations
Marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy has secured a contract to supply battery systems for nine next-generation RoPax vessels being built for the Grimaldi Group, supporting the Italian shipping company’s continued investment in lower-emission ferry operations.
Under the agreement, AYK Energy will deliver its OrionAN marine battery system, providing 2,073kWh of installed battery capacity on each vessel. The contract represents a combined battery capacity of 18,657kWh across the entire fleet.
The new RoPax vessels are being constructed at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) and are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2030.
Six of the ships will be deployed in the Mediterranean under the Grimaldi Lines and Minoan Lines brands, while three will be operated by Finnlines in the Baltic Sea. Key features include reduced environmental impact.
The state-of-the-art RoPax vessels have been designed to elevate the quality of maritime transport for both rolling cargo and passengers in the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea.
They will feature multi-fuel engines capable of running on methanol along with a suite of green technologies, including modern hull and high-efficiency propeller design, shore power connectivity, and waste heat recovery systems.
The Grimaldi Group’s renewal programme positions it at the heart of maritime environmental and operational innovation.
The high-performance OrionAN marine batteries being provided by AYK will play a major role in enhancing its new vessels’ energy efficiency and environmental performance.
They are part of AYK’s latest range, which received DNV type approval last year, reinforcing their compliance with stringent maritime safety and performance standards.
AYK Energy founder Chris Kruger has described that approval as a game changer, making marine battery technology more affordable and driving adoption. “With high profile deals with major players in the maritime world like Grimaldi, AYK continues to demonstrate how battery technology is evolving and becoming more powerful, more advanced and more competitive. AYK’s battery solutions help shipping operators like Grimaldi improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and accelerate the transition toward more sustainable maritime transport.”
