Author: SEA FORREST

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George Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Sea Forrest, explains the benefits and challenges awaiting Singapore bunker tankers should they choose to use electrification technology for decarbonisation.

MT: What are the opportunities open to Singapore bunker tankers should the fleet choose decarbonisation using electrification technology?

Opportunities for Singapore bunker tankers considering decarbonisation with electrification technology include reduced emissions, operational cost savings, and potential regulatory compliance benefits.

MT: Is the current level of electrification technology enough to be applied to bunker tankers?

The current level of electrification technology holds promise for application in bunker tankers; however, further advancements may be necessary to address scalability and efficiency concerns.

MT:  Which types of electrification technologies can the local bunkering fleet consider and what are their advantages and drawbacks?

Local bunker tanker fleets can consider various electrification technologies, including diesel-electric hybrid propulsion, parallel hybrid propulsion, and marinized energy storage for peak-shaving and alternative power. Each option offers unique advantages such as zero emissions, reduced fuel consumption, and decreased emissions. However, the current limitations include higher initial costs.

MT: Are there any challenges for the electrification of Singapore’s bunkering fleet? How can they be overcome?

Challenges facing the electrification of Singapore’s bunker tanker fleet encompass infrastructure development, limitations in battery technology, and regulatory uncertainties. Overcoming these hurdles will likely require collaborative efforts among stakeholders, investments in infrastructure, and the establishment of clear regulatory frameworks.

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From Inside Marine, Issue M59 | FEB/MAR 2024

Singapore-based Sea Forrest has a clear focus – to help decarbonise the maritime industry. CEO & Founder George LEE, COO Captain Kevin WONG and CTO Dr TAN Wei Kiong explained more to Romana MOARES.

Sea Forrest stands as a pioneer in Singapore’s maritime industry decarbonisation efforts, specialising in energy management solutions through marine electric and hybrid propulsion, marine charging, and energy storage systems. Sea Forrest not only designs and assembles these systems but also provides comprehensive energy management solutions, encompassing software and in-house programming. 

“Our core business involves assisting vessel owners achieve substantial changes to align with the IMO 2030/2050 goals for reducing GHG emissions,” stated COO Captain Kevin Wong. “We accomplish this by developing solutions tailored to different operation profiles and vessel types. Our offerings include retrofit kits for both new builds and existing vessels, as well as comprehensive energy management systems.”

“We develop cost-effective and practical solutions that deliver incremental steps in-line with the evolving technologies and alternative fuel market,” explained CEO & Founder George Lee. With a background as a mechatronics engineer, Mr Lee boasts two decades of experience within the marine and offshore industry, managing ships, oil rigs and offshore platforms construction.

One of Sea Forrest’s key differentiators is its in-house system control and software development team, led by the accomplished CTO Dr Tan Wei Kiong, who holds a PhD in Optoelectronics. Dr Tan is highly skilled in aligning technical advancements with business objectives.

A decade of growth

The company was incorporated in 2011, focusing on project management of oil rig construction, afloat repair, maintenance and fabrication services. By 2019, its offerings expanded in line with the market development to include innovative solutions to address vessels’ carbon footprint.

“Throughout our evolution, we have shifted to become a system integrator,” said Captain Wong. Today, Sea Forrest proudly stands as a comprehensive solutions provider, offering a 360° service.

In 2021 the business was acquired by BH Global and rebranded Sea Forrest Technologies with Sea Forrest Power Solutions and Sea Forrest Engineering as wholly owned subsidiaries. Sea Forrest Engineering is focused on equipment and structure fabrication and afloat repairs. Meanwhile, Sea Forres Power Solutions fully-supports energy transition in the maritime industry, offering several product lines – full electric propulsion; full electric-ready propulsion; green hybrid propulsion; Green Cabin energy-saving system; SEAGEN marinized lithium-ion batteries; and Energy Cube Containerised energy storage system.

The company’s vision is to deliver green solutions for the blue economy.

“Our business is about encouraging action now,” Mr Lee explained. “Given the current challenges such as the insufficient charging infrastructure for electric vessels and the need to establish a reliable supply chain for alternative net zero fuels, many vessel owners are simply waiting. Consequently, we created solutions that encourage owners to make incremental changes that align with the evolving technology and supply chain developments.”

Sea Forrest capitalises on its extensive industry expertise, with approximately 60% of its workforce comprising engineers and programmers, a prominent competitive advantage for the company. Captain Wong, an accomplished marine professional holding qualifications as a Mater Mariner and an MSc in Maritime Studies, previously held the esteemed position of Singapore’s Port Master from 2017 to 2022. Speaking about his team, he emphasised: “We don’t simply recruit engineers; rather, we actively seek out young talents who are enthusiastic about contributing to sustainability projects.”

As an innovative company, Sea Forrest actively seeks partners who align with its vision, as explained by Mr lee: “ Our effectiveness is intricately linked to our suppliers and partners. We hold these collaborative relationships in high regard.”

Transitioning to net zero

Sea Forrest offers a range of solutions for current and future applications. “Our development are agnostic to the future choice of energy,” said Dr Tan. “This allows customers to start decarbonisation without worrying about their capital investment being obsolete in a few years’ time.”

The highest demand is for the company’s Green Hybrid propulsion systems that are retrofittable to both existing vessels and new builds. These systems offer seamless control between electric and diesel modes and accept alternative fuels. They are suitable for pilot boats, windfarm CTVs, fast crew boats and patrol crafts. Sea Forrest is proud to have delivered, along with its partners, the hybrid solution for Singapore’s first hybrid powered pilot vessel and four hybrid powered windfarm CTVs for operations in Europe.

As the energy transition in the maritime industry progresses, the company is increasing its market share. For a Japanese client, Sea Forrest has delivered a full electric propulsion system (zero-emission) and has received additional orders from other Japanese customers. Through a strategic partnership, Taiyo (Japan) will be Sea Forrest’s distributor for their proprietary Energy Cube energy storage system in Japan.

Sea Forrest’s full electric-ready systems are generating considerable interest. “The system is designed to future-proof vessels for owners looking to transition to change to full electric or fuel cells,” said Mr Lee. The first full electric-ready system was delivered to Victory Private Limited, a tanker company operating in Singapore.

“We have also achieved notable success with out Green Cabin energy-saving systems on three 42m – fast crew boats for the Brunei, Malaysia and Thailand oil and gas sectors, and delivered solar-powered propulsion systems for a reservoir maintenance boat in Marina Bay,” he elaborated. “Additionally, we proudly introduced the first marinized lithium-ion battery for marine propulsion, designed, built, assembled and type-approved in Singapore. Our portfolio is further enhanced by containerised energy storage systems catering to both marine ad offshore applications.”  

Sustainable progress

While the sector is new, the competing technologies are still in their early stages. By focusing on cost-efficient solutions that are available now and suitable for both new and existing vessels, Sea Forrest is at the forefront of accelerating the maritime sector’s green transformation.

These efforts have not gone unnoticed – the Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry took a keen interest in Sea Forrest and visited its Creation Lab in July 2023. “During the visit, the Minister announced a foundational sustainability guide titled ‘Sustainability Playbook for Enterprises’,” said Captain Wong. “Since then, we have been featured in the local media as an example of a company that has embraced sustainability.”

“Through significant investments, we aim to expand our business, increase our talent pool and scale up our solutions. Our current focus is primarily on R&D and refining existing solutions. We collaborate with major ship classification societies and research institutions, working on projects to drive innovation and safety in maritime electrification technology.”

“This partnership with ABDS extends to updating classification rules and standards to ensure their relevance and easy application in the rapidly evolving landscape of marine batteries and propulsion technology. Additionally, with improved data collection, we can explore the use of AI to further optimise solutions for customer.”

Concluding, Mr Lee noted that while Sea Forrest’s current presence is primarily in Singapore, its client base spans the globe: “To prepare for the future, we are in the process of planning oversea offices to better serve our international clientele and are also actively recruiting passionate talents to strengthen our team.” 

Read the article here (Page238).

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Sea Forrest Power Solutions Pte Ltd (Sea Forrest), a subsidiary company of BH Global, has signed a strategic agency agreement with MATE@SEA, a prominent maritime solutions provider based in Germany. This milestone agreement marks a significant step forward in advancing maritime innovation and sustainable solutions for the industry.

The partnership between Sea Forrest and MATE@SEA brings together complementary strengths and expertise, with Sea Forrest’s green technologies and MATE@SEA’s deep industry knowledge and market reach. By joining forces, both companies are poised to drive impactful change in the maritime sector, addressing critical challenges and unlocking new opportunities for growth and development.

“We are excited to formalize this partnership with MATE@SEA,” said George Lee, CEO of Sea Forrest.” Their focus on market knowledge, established networks, cultural understanding, and logistical support portfolio aligns perfectly with our vision for the future of maritime technology. Together, we aim to enhance the delivery of practical and compliant green solutions to a wider market by capitalizing on the strengths of the partnership.”

Under the terms of the agreement, MATE@SEA will serve as the representative agent for Sea Forrest’s innovative products and services, providing localized support and expertise to customers seeking sustainable green technology.

“We are delighted to partner with Sea Forrest,” said Marc-Laurence Mühlenbeck, Managing Director of MATE@SEA.” Their reputation for excellence and commitment to innovation complements our company’s philosophy and enables us to provide our customers with best-in-class solutions that address their evolving needs. This partnership represents a significant opportunity to drive innovation and create value for our customers.”

As the maritime industry continues to evolve and adapt to new challenges, Sea Forrest and MATE@SEA are committed to collaborating closely to deliver sustainable green solutions in the rapidly changing blue economy.

For more information about Sea Forrest and MATE@SEA, please visit www.seaforrest.com and www.mate-at-sea.com.

About Sea Forrest:

SEA FORREST specializes in delivering energy management system through electric and hybrid propulsion solutions, and lithium energy storage systems for marine vessels and offshore platform.

About Mate@Sea:

MATE@SEA is a leading provider of support and expertise in the maritime industry with a strong focus and extensive knowledge in electrification technology such as lithium battery systems and energy storage systems.

 

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Singapore, 31 January 2024

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Sea Forrest (SF), a leading provider of specialist marine electric propulsion and energy management solutions has been awarded a type approval certificate by RINA for its groundbreaking marine lithium ion battery system, jointly developed with GenPlus Pte Ltd (GenPlus). 

The SEAGEN Marine Battery System GP-VESS-110, a robust 110kWh lithium-ion battery system, signifies a remarkable leap forward in eco-friendly technology. As the global demand for sustainable and environmentally conscious solutions increase rapidly, SF is leading the charge with a transformative marinized battery systems. 

In a collaboration with GenPlus, SF has engineered a lithium-ion battery system that not only guarantees high performance but also ensures safety amidst the various situations encountered on board vessels operating in Europe, Middle East and Southeast Asia, including vibration, heat, overcurrent, and electromagnetic interference. 

The meticulous type approval process adhered to the industry’s latest standards, as outlined in RINA Rules for the Type Approval Certification of Lithium Battery Systems – 2022. This stringent certification attests to the SEAGEN Marine Battery System’s adherence to the highest quality and safety benchmarks. 

SF’s SEAGEN Marine Battery System GP-VESS-110 is the company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and maritime safety. As we navigate into a future dominated by eco-conscious choices, Sea Forrest and RINA stand at the helm, pioneering the transformation of marine energy solutions. 

George Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Sea Forrest, stated, “The RINA Type Approval Certificate for our SEAGEN Marine Battery System GP-VESS-110 marks a significant milestone in our journey towards revolutionizing marine energy solutions. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to delivering cutting-edge, eco-friendly technologies that not only enhance performance but also prioritize safety. As the maritime industry shifts towards sustainable practices, Sea Forrest is proud to be at the forefront, driving innovation and contributing to a cleaner, greener future for marine transportation.” 

Pang Yong Song, Marine South East Asia & India Area Business Development Director at RINA, said, “RINA is committed to playing a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping industry. This approval reinforces our dedication to innovation, sustainability, and safety, showcasing our relentless pursuit of excellence in the maritime industry. We are proud to be part of this innovative solution and looking forward to supporting more shipowners, manufacturers, and technology developers in the pursuit towards decarbonisation.”

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Sea Forrest is a pioneer in decarbonizing the maritime industry with green energy solutions

Farmington, MI – December 22, 2023 – The CEO Views is proud to recognize Sea Forrest, a leading provider of green technology solutions as one of the ‘Innovators of the Year 2023’.

The award felicitates Sea Forrest for its innovation, determination, and pursuit towards decarbonizing the maritime industry.

Sea Forrest is a pioneering force in Singapore’s ongoing journey towards decarbonizing the maritime industry. The company specializes is delivering energy management solutions through marine electric and hybrid propulsion, marine charging and marine energy storage system.

By fostering a holistic approach to the maritime electrification challenge with an extensive portfolio of sustainable energy of products and solutions, Sea Forrest has evolved from a project management firm for oil rig construction to a leading provider of green energy solutions.

“It’s a great honor to announce Sea Forrest as one of the ‘Innovators of the Year 2023’,” said Ben Johnson, Managing Editor of The CEO Views.

About Sea Forrest

Sea Forrest is a leading provider of green technology solutions for the blue marine and offshore industry. It is missioned to deliver cost-effective, innovative and simple solutions, enabling mass adoption to reduce maritime carbon footprint.

About The CEO Views

Published from Farmington Hills, Michigan, The CEO Views is a print and digital magazine that aims towards providing the perfect platform for entrepreneurs to connect with the industry peers while exploring and understanding innovations that are changing the technology landscape of today and moving towards a newer world. 

Read the article here.

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 15 Nov 2023

Sea Forrest Power Solutions Pte Ltd (Sea Forrest), a subsidiary company of BH Global, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Vestera Resources Sdn Bhd (Vestera), initiating a collaborative effort to bring sustainable solutions to the maritime and offshore sector in Malaysia.

Focused on addressing the growing demand for green energy, this partnership introduces advanced energy management systems delivered through electric and hybrid propulsion solutions, marine charging, energy saving, and energy storage systems.

The aim is to provide ship-owners, port operators, and oil and gas companies with practical and compliant green solutions by leveraging on the partnership’s strengths.

About the partnership

SEA FORREST specializes in delivering energy management system through electric and hybrid propulsion solutions, and energy storage systems.

VESTERA is a marine and oil & gas service provider offering customized solutions to industry players within the maritime marketplace, port industry and offshore oil & gas sector in Malaysia.

Photo Caption From Left to Right: Mr. Ahmad Salman Othman (Director, Oil and Gas, Vestera Resources Sdn Bhd), Capt. Imran Azmi (Managing Director, Vestera Resources Sdn Bhd), Mr. George Lee (CEO, Sea Forrest), Capt. Kevin Wong (COO, Sea Forrest)

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(SINGAPORE)

ABS and Sea Forrest Power Solutions Pte Ltd (Sea Forrest), a subsidiary of BH Global, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to drive advancements in cutting-edge maritime electrification technologies.

Supported by the new ABS Electrification Center in Singapore, the agreement will cover projects for electric vessels, shore charging infrastructure along with related industry standards and marine classification requirements. ABS and Sea Forrest also intend to collaborate on a project to study the pertinent safety considerations for the development of fire resilient battery room or enclosure designs.

“ABS is well-positioned to use our deep industry knowledge to advance emerging battery technologies and shore power connection technologies to understand the risks of electrified vessels and to support infrastructure planning as ports become increasingly electrified and connected. We look forward to working together with innovators such as Sea Forrest to enhance the safety of the maritime industry and bring about a smooth transition to clean energy,” said Gareth Burton, ABS Vice President, Technology.

In response to this groundbreaking collaboration, Sea Forrest CEO George Lee said: “We are excited to partner with ABS to drive innovation and safety in maritime electrification technology. Sea Forrest is proud to contribute our technical expertise, operational insights and practical experiences in battery and energy storage applications on board electric and hybrid-powered vessels. This partnership underscores our commitment to advancing cleaner energy solutions in the maritime sector, and we are eager to work alongside ABS and other industry leaders to make our oceans more sustainable and our vessels safer and more efficient.”

The MOU was signed in Singapore during the ABS Technology Forum: Enabling Electrification and Model-based Approaches, a conference connecting key stakeholders across the maritime value chain. Attendees from manufacturing, government and academia joined ABS to identify areas for future collaboration and research projects.

ABS understands that additional alternative energy options, particularly electrification, are needed to help the shipping industry achieve net zero by 2050. Learn more here about how ABS is leading in decarbonization and sustainability solutions for clients.

Photo Caption (Front L to R): George Lee, CEO, Sea Forrest; Gareth Burton, ABS Vice President, Technology (Back Row L to R): Dr. Gu Hai, ABS Vice President and Head of Global Simulation Centre; Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive, Industry and Transformation, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore; Arnab Ghosh, ABS Vice President, Regional Business Development

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Singapore, 26 October 2023

Sea Forrest (SF), a provider of specialist marine electric propulsion and energy management solutions, has been awarded type approval from Bureau Veritas (BV), a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification, for its SEAGEN 11 modularised marine propulsion battery module system.

SEAGEN 11 is the first marinized lithium-ion battery system for marine propulsion to be designed, built, and assembled in Singapore. Together with the battery management system, which was also designed, built and programmed in Singapore in collaboration with GenPlus Pte Ltd, the modularised system allows flexibility of installation onboard different marine platforms, confined spaces, and ease of stringing up battery modules to meet various battery voltage requirements.

The type approval from BV confirms that SEAGEN 11 meets the IMO guidelines, which will facilitate its implementation onboard vessels by streamlining the Flag State approvals required for lithium-ion energy storage solutions. This will also support efforts to accelerate the adoption of electric propulsion as part of the broader decarbonisation efforts in the maritime sector, while also enhancing safety at sea.

Bureau Veritas and Sea Forrest are committed to continued collaboration beyond this type approval, exploring the development of high-performance batteries and advanced battery management systems. In addition, the two companies will work together on updating classification rules and standards to ensure relevance and easy application in the rapidly evolving landscape of marine batteries and propulsion technology. This ongoing partnership underscores their joint commitment to driving innovation and advancing the environmental, safety and operational performance of marine batteries.

George Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Sea Forrest, said: “Sea Forrest believes that achieving net-zero in the maritime sector is paramount and inevitable. Aligned with IMO’s 2030 and 2050 strategies in charting a course toward a sustainable future, the type-approval from Bureau Veritas for our SEAGEN 11 marinized battery marks a significant milestone for our sustainability efforts in the maritime industry. This certification affirms the viability of our technology as a solution for lowering emissions on both new and existing ships. We hope that this innovation will propel the industry forward towards mass adoption to reduce the maritime carbon footprint.”

David Barrow, Vice President, South Asia, Bureau Veritas M&O, added “Electric propulsion systems are a clear pathway to decarbonization, particularly for short-range and return to base marine operations. Ensuring the safety of battery systems is vital. So, it is with pleasure that we have awarded type approval to Sea Forrest following our rigorous assessment process. It is also great to see future solutions being developed and manufactured in Singapore and we congratulate Sea Forrest on the successful development of this system. We look forward to seeing the technology on BV-classed vessels in the future, reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maximizing performance!”

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Sea Forrest Technologies was awarded the Most Sustainable Collaboration Award for their efforts in producing Singapore’s first hybrid wind farm crew transfer vessel with Strategic Marine at the SICC Awards 2023. 

On 26 October 2023, the Chamber delivered the 8th SICC Awards Ceremony & Gala at the Heliconia Ballroom, Marina Bay Sands. The highly anticipated results of the annual SICC Awards for Collaborative Innovation were announced at the awards ceremony in the presence of our Guest-of-Honour Mr. Alvin Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry. Over 300 guests comprising our finalists, judges, Singapore government officials, business leaders, Chamber members, partners and friends attended the event.

Sea Forrest would like to congratulate the 2023 Winners:

– Best Technological Collaboration

Driving Towards a Sustainable Future for Singapore & Beyond

By SC Auto Industries (S) Pte Ltd and Volvo Group Singapore Pte Ltd

– Most Positive Workplace Collaboration

Building a Winning Global Team for a White Ink Plant

By HP Singapore (Private) Limited

– Most Scalable Collaboration

World’s First Circular System for Food Packaging & Food Waste

By TRIA Pte Ltd, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Yara International

– Most Sustainable Collaboration

Singapore’s First Hybrid Wind Farm Crew Transfer Vessel

By Sea Forrest Technologies Pte Ltd and Strategic Marine (S) Pte Ltd

– Most Transformational Collaboration

Re-purposing of Spent Barley Grains into Protein Fibre ingredients for Human Nutrition

By Kosmode Health Singapore Pte Ltd, Nestle Singapore Pte Ltd and Nestle R&D Center Pte Ltd

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Featured Image From Left to Right: Kenichi Takagi (Senior Managing Director, Sanshin Electric Corporation), George Lee (CEO, Sea Forrest), Patrick Lim (COO, BH Global), Daizo Yamada (Senior Managing Director, Taiyo Electric Co. Ltd.)

Gifu City, 05 October 2023

Sea Forrest Power Solutions Pte Ltd (Sea Forrest), a subsidiary company of BH Global, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Taiyo Electric Co. Ltd (Taiyo), Sanshin Electric Corporation, and BOS Marine and Offshore Engineering Corporation, at Taiyo’s new cutting-edge factory in Gifu prefecture, Japan.

Through the strategic partnership, Taiyo (Japan) will be Sea Forrest’s first distributor for their proprietary 20 feet 1.2 MWh “Energy Cube” energy storage system in Japan. Sea Forrest Energy Cubes are containerised energy storage systems for onshore, shipboard, and offshore applications, as back-up power solutions, regenerative power storage, and peak shaver to manage power fluctuations on marine and offshore vessels and platforms.

About the partnership

TAIYO was founded in Japan since 1917 by the Yamada family. It manufactures high quality and environmentally conscious heavy electric equipment and systems for marine and industrial markets. Its lines of products include main switchboards and control panels, ventilation fans, pumps, compressors, shaft generators and systems, electric propulsion systems and marine motors.

SANSHIN is a sister company of Taiyo. It specializes in marine lightings and systems for commercial and leisure marine. It’s lines of products include pumps, horns, sounders, wiring devices, infrared cameras, main switchboards and control panels.

BOSMEC is the engineering arm of Taiyo and Sanshin. It provides engineering solutions and project management for GRE, CCTV, and electric propulsion systems.

SEA FORREST was incorporated in 2011 and specializes in delivering energy management solutions through marine electric propulsion, hybrid and full electric-ready propulsion, marine charging and marine energy storage systems. SEA FORREST also provides their proprietary “SeaGen” modularised marine type-approved performance battery modules and “Energy Cube” marinized energy storage systems in 20ft containers, suitable for marine vessels and offshore platforms.