Yinson GreenTech’s marinEV selects Zeabuz to equip two HydroFerries with autonomous capabilities for Malaysia’s planned electric passenger ferry service
Yinson GreenTech’s marine electrification business, marinEV, has selected Zeabuz to provide the autonomy platform for the Langkawi Electric Ferry Project, an initiative aimed at establishing Malaysia’s first commercial, open-sea, fully electric passenger ferry service.
The project will connect Malaysian island Langkawi with the mainland port of Kuala Perlis using purpose-built electric ferries supported by shore-based charging infrastructure and integrated digital technologies. The initiative aims to improve operational efficiency while supporting the wider digitalisation and decarbonisation of passenger transport services.
Under the collaboration, Yinson GreenTech will provide the HydroFerry vessels integrated with Zeabuz autonomy under a charter arrangement. Langkawi Port will operate the service, and Tenaga Nasional Berhad will develop the power and charging infrastructure. The initiative has been designated a National Priority Project and is supported by key Malaysian government and industry stakeholders. It also supports Malaysia’s broader energy transition and maritime decarbonisation ambitions, with the National Energy Transition Roadmap identifying marine transport as a key sector for decarbonisation and targeting 40% green fuel penetration by 2050.
By integrating the Zeabuz Autonomy Platform, the two HydroFerries will gain autonomous and remote-operation capabilities as part of a phased roadmap towards higher levels of vessel automation. Under the planned implementation, Zeabuz will initially deliver its highly automated SmartCrossing system. This dock-to-dock operating system transforms waterway crossings into connected, data-driven operations. The system provides fully automated dock-to-dock operation, provides real-time traffic awareness, and delivers actionable insights that support safer, more efficient management of ferries, waterways, ports, and other maritime crossing points. Later, the companies plan to progressively introduce advanced autonomous navigation, collision avoidance, and remote operation capabilities.
The HydroFerry project marks the third Yinson GreenTech vessel type to be integrated with Zeabuz autonomy, following the Hydromover and HydroGlyder announced in 2022 and 2024.
The ongoing collaboration reflects the scalability of the Zeabuz autonomy platform across Yinson GreenTech’s expanding electric maritime portfolio, from harbor craft operations to longer-distance passenger routes.
The project represents an important step towards the deployment of operational autonomous maritime systems in Southeast Asia, and Zeabuz looks forward to building further on its partnership with Yinson GreenTech.
