Today marks the launch of Singapore’s first pilot trial for electric harbour craft (e-HC) charging points at Marina South Pier (MSP). This initiative, led by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA Singapore), follows a call for proposals to develop and operate e-HC charging points at various locations under a two-year pilot scheme.
The charging point at MSP has been awarded to a partnership comprising Pyxis Energy Pte Ltd, Pyxis Maritime Pte Ltd, and SP Mobility Pte Ltd. Pyxis’s fleet of e-HCs operating at MSP will serve as the primary vehicles for testing the charging infrastructure and collecting comprehensive data. This data will be instrumental in developing a national e-HC charging infrastructure masterplan, implementation plan, and national standards.
As part of the pilot, the Pyxis and SP Mobility partnership has deployed a 150-kilowatt (kW) land-based Direct Current fast charger with a Combined Charging System 2 connector at MSP. This charger can recharge an e-HC with a battery capacity of approximately 500 kWh in about 3 hours, providing an operating range of around 50 nautical miles or 90 kilometers. Users will be able to access the charger by scanning a QR code using the SP app and making payments through the app.
MPA is collaborating with Enterprise Singapore, industry stakeholders, and academia to develop a Technical Reference (TR) for e-HC charging and battery swap systems. The draft TR is expected to be ready for public consultation by mid-April 2024.
Captain M Segar, MPA Assistant Chief Executive (Operations), emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in promoting wider adoption of e-HCs in Singapore. He highlighted the need for collaboration in improving vessel and battery designs, developing technical standards, lowering financing barriers, and building charging infrastructure.
Mr. Tommy Phun, Founder of Pyxis, expressed excitement about commencing charging operations at Marina South Pier for their flagship electric vessel, the X Tron. He highlighted the vessel’s innovative features tailored for the Singapore port market, emphasizing productivity gains and cost savings compared to traditional diesel vessels.
Mr. Dean Cher, Head of Mobility at SP Group, reiterated their commitment to decarbonizing the transport sector, including harbour craft. He emphasized the significance of the first public marine charging point at Marina South Pier and highlighted their partnership with Pyxis in leading e-HC adoption in Singapore.
MPA has also awarded innovative proposals for a mobile charging concept by Seatrium O&G (International) Pte Ltd and a high-power DC Charger by Yinson Electric Pte Ltd. These initiatives aim to further develop charging infrastructure options for the marine industry in Singapore.
Looking ahead, from 2030, all new harbour craft operating in the Port of Singapore will need to be fully electric, capable of using B100 biofuel, or compatible with net-zero fuels such as hydrogen. MPA is actively working with industry stakeholders to develop standards for biofuels, with blends of up to B50 already commercially available.
MPA’s recent shortlisting of 11 e-HC designs demonstrates ongoing efforts to promote innovation in the maritime sector. Additionally, expanded financing options and grants, such as the Enterprise Financing Scheme-Green (EFS-Green) and the Energy Efficiency Grant, aim to support maritime companies in adopting sustainable practices.
With these initiatives, Singapore is taking significant strides towards a greener and more sustainable maritime industry.
Source MPA Singapore