AET links up with Fleetzero to develop ‘world’s longest-range’ hybrid electric vessel

AET, a petroleum arm of Malaysia’s shipowner MISC, has joined forces with modular marine batteries developer and maker Fleetzero to develop “the world’s longest-range” plug-in hybrid-electric vessel.

The two companies have signed an agreement to retrofit one of AET’s lightering support vessels (LSV) with a plug-in hybrid-electric system.

The retrofitted vessel will operate primarily on battery power, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by around 82% compared to conventional LSVs on a tank-to-wake basis, AET explained.

According to the partners’ estimate, this will help avoid 1,220 tonnes of GHG, reduce fuel consumption and maintenance costs, while maintaining safety standards.

“This partnership marks a pivotal step in our decarbonisation journey and energy transition strategy. We are proud to partner Fleetzero in developing the world’s largest plug-in hybrid-electric LSV, reinforcing our commitment to innovative and sustainable solutions in the maritime industry,” said Zahid Osman, President & Group CEO of MISC Group.

“By integrating plug-in hybrid electric solutions into our fleet, we are transforming ambition into action to deliver more energy with less emissions. This pilot project also allows us to evaluate the feasibility and operational performance of this technology, paving the way for potential deployment across AET’s and potentially MISC’s fleet.”

Steven Henderson, Co-Founder & CEO of Fleetzero, added: “We are so excited about this project because it promises to advance marine electrification in a commercially viable way, and the impact is immense – drastically reducing emissions from the vessel operations. Many of us at Fleetzero have served at sea as mariners, and we designed our technology to enhance mariner safety and ease of operations, not only to improve emissions and efficiency. Fleetzero’s technology is built by mariners for mariners.”

AET’s decarbonization efforts also include the shipbuilding order for ‘the world’s first’ ammonia dual-fuel Aframax duo.

AET signed the shipbuilding contracts for these two vessels with Chinese shipbuilder Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. (DSIC), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), and entered into time charter party contracts (TCP) with Malaysian company PETCO Trading Labuan Company (PTLCL), Petronas’ midstream services arm, in April 2024.