EBDG partners with Centerline to bring methanol-fueled power barge into operation

The U.S. marine transportation company Centerline Logistics and compatriot naval architecture and marine engineering firm Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) have formed an exclusive partnership for the construction and deployment of a series of barge-based clean power solutions for ports lacking conventional shore power infrastructure.

The partnership is focused on EBDG’s patent-pending Clean Harbor Alternative Mobile Power (CHAMP) barge, a floating platform that is said to be able to reduce ship emissions by up to 93% while idling in port.

CHAMP’s first deployments will be powered by methanol-fueled generator technology offering a range of 6 to 16 MW which is expected to provide a flexible, portable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional shore-based power infrastructure.

According to Centerline, CHAMP will be a U.S. Coast Guard-inspected vessel in the U.S. domestic market, eliminating the need for shoreside permitting or infrastructure.

Centerline and EBDG intend to disclose CHAMP fleet locations and deployments beginning in 2025, marking the next step in their collaboration.

“As ports prioritize emissions reductions, finding ways to manage all sources of negative carbon emissions, both underway and moored, becomes crucial,” said Ravi Sekhon, Director of Engineering & Sustainability at Centerline Logistics.

“CHAMP offers ports and shipping companies a practical and sustainable solution for emission reduction. Centerline is excited to provide our government and commercial customers around the globe with a safe and reliable cold-ironing solution that is exclusively available through our partnership with EBDG.”

Michael Complita, VP of Strategic Expansion at Elliott Bay Design Group, added: “EBDG’s CHAMP barge is a groundbreaking solution for reducing port emissions. Our team developed CHAMP to deliver multimegawatt clean power wherever it’s needed, without relying on permanent shoreside installations. We are excited to partner with Centerline to bring this technology into operation, ensuring it makes a positive impact across the maritime industry.”