Over 90 percent of world trade is carried across the world’s oceans by some 90,000 marine vessels. According to the International Maritime Organization, maritime transport worldwide is responsible for almost 2.5 % of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, it produces one billion tons of CO2 each year — and the industry continues to grow rapidly.

In the past decade, faced with the requirement to reduce NOx and SOx pollution in emission control areas (ECA) along coastlines, vessel operators have primarily turned to low-sulphur fuels such as LNG to fulfil the requirement, as well as invest in installing scrubbers to clean tail-pipe gases. The demand for pure electric and hybrid vessels globally have also grown steadily and is expected to accelerate after 2020, mainly driven by the now-confirmed global sulphur regulations- enforced by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Singapore has set a goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 36% compared to 2005 levels by 2030. Singapore is also working towards stabilising its emissions with the aim of peaking around 2030. These are ambitious targets and as per Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change, Minister Teo Chee Hean “Our goal of building a more carbon-efficient and climate-resilient Singapore can only be achieved when the community and businesses work together with the government in making climate-friendly habits and practices a way of life.”

There is approximately 2000 harbour craft operating in Singapore waters, emitting poisonous Greenhouse gases (GHG). The Engineering arm of BH Global Group, Sea Forrest Power Solutions (SFP) has successfully delivered Singapore’s First Hybrid-Powered Ship – The “Penguin Tenaga” with project partners and is currently engaging in further R&D activities towards the design of the Green Infrastructure and construction of hybrid electric propulsion vessels.

The ships of the future will run on electricity and SFP aims to provide innovation green solutions to address emissions globally and around Singapore waters- contributing to Singapore’s 2030 decarbonization target. “Electrifying harbour craft vessels operating in and around Singapore waters will significantly help to reduce Singapore’s emissions footprint. Equipped with the technical know-how and relevant experience, BH Global, together with our subsidiary Sea Forrest, will endeavour to participate in and contribute towards realising this national vision.” Mr Vincent Lim, Chairman of BH Global Group stated.

Electrification and Hybridization can be done for both new-builds and retrofits. Sea Forrest is currently working on the development of Full Electric Ready (FER) Systems for the Harbour and inland watercrafts and will expand to Offshore support vessels in the near future. The FER System ease the transformation of a hybrid vessel to full electric vessel by offering step-changes to key contributors- Lowered battery prices, comprehensive Charging Infrastructure, Improved Battery density.

SFP aims to improve the efficiency of existing energy assets and to upgrade and modernize wherever possible with its green technology and solutions. As an alternative to conventional oil products, Sea Forrest’s Parallel Hybrid Design and a flagship Full Electric Ready (FER) propulsion solution contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions of potentially up to 20% as compared to current solutions in the market. Other notable products Sea Forrest has developed include the Energy Cube (Energy Storage System) incorporated into a vessel’s power system, allowing it to store energy for later use; unique charging solutions that allows marine vessels to easily transfer power from shore to ship;  and remote AI pilotage- use of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to boost the incorporation of propulsion systems.

“We aim to achieve a complete eco-system for Singapore’s electric-hybrid and pure electric propulsion systems, ranging from shore chargers to on-board systems.” said Mr George Lee, CEO of Sea Forrest. Sea Forrest will continue to spearhead further collaboration with owners, operators, suppliers and the authorities and drive initiatives towards the electrification and digitalisation of vessel operations.

Encompassing future technologies and the ecosystem approach, Sea Forrest endeavours to offer a clear route to Decarbonisation and also the potential for zero emission vessels.