Dear readers, global ports accelerate electrification with Noatum Maritime deploying GCC's first electric hydrofoiling pilot boat and tugs (70-tonne bollard pull), while Hong Kong prepares shorepower for cruise ships by 2030. Norway mandates zero-emission ferries in World Heritage fjords, and China operationalizes the world's largest electric dredger (2,000m³/hour capacity). Enjoy this edition!

Looking for previous editions? Click here. Feel free to share it with your network and anyone involved in ports and vessels electrification!

Top News

• GCC electric tugs: Noatum Maritime launched two Damen RSD-E 2513 electric tugs (70-tonne bollard pull) at Khalifa Port, UAE. The vessels feature 2-hour rapid charging and were Guinness-certified as the world's most powerful electric tugs. Complemented by an Artemis EF-12 hydrofoiling pilot boat (85% energy reduction), these vessels form AD Ports Group's zero-emission strategy. Operations began Q2 2025. READ MORE

• LA tug retrofit: Arc Boats will retrofit a Port of Los Angeles tug with a 600HP dual-motor electric drivetrain by summer 2025. The project with Diversified Marine aims to demonstrate cost savings from eliminated fuel and maintenance expenses. This follows San Diego's 2023 e-Wolf tug success. The retrofit serves as a prototype for scaling to 2,000 US tugs. READ MORE

• Hong Kong shorepower: Hong Kong's Kai Tak Cruise Terminal will install shorepower before 2030, per Deputy Tourism Commissioner Joanne Chu. Feasibility studies are complete, with LNG/green methanol bunkering trials planned for 2026. The project aligns with IMO emissions targets for cruise ships. Legislation and operational guidelines are already finalized. READ MORE

• Fjord zero-emission: Norway mandated zero-emission for sub-10,000 GT passenger ships in World Heritage fjords from January 2026. Larger ships must comply by 2032, with NOK 100M allocated for Flåm shorepower infrastructure. The regulation covers Nærøyfjord, Geirangerfjord, and three other UNESCO sites. Biogas is permitted if segregated from fossil fuels. READ MORE

• Hydrofoil ferries: Candela's P-12 hydrofoil ferry achieves 98% lower emissions than diesel ferries in Stockholm. The 25-knot vessel uses a 600kWh battery (equivalent to 3 Tesla Cybertrucks) and charges during off-peak hours. Expansion plans include routes in New York and Mumbai by 2027. Daily ridership increased 30% post-deployment. READ MORE

• Turkish tug deal: Damen signed a technical cooperation with İÇDAŞ to build ASD Tug 2813 (83-tonne bollard pull) in Çanakkale, Turkey. The 27.59m tug will service İÇDAŞ's Marmara Sea ports starting Q4 2025. This follows Damen's recent Stan Tug 1606 deal with Arena Offshore. Both projects utilize Damen's localized construction model. READ MORE

• Arctic battery ferry: Norway's 7,115 GT battery ferry Hinnøy (117m) began delivery from Turkey on April 17, 2025. With 4,750kWh Siemens batteries and 9.2MW charging, it serves the Bognes-Lødingen route at 14 knots. The 399-passenger vessel replaces LNG ferries, featuring redundant power systems for Arctic conditions. READ MORE

• Electric dredger: China's "Junlan" electric cutter suction dredger (2,000m³/hour capacity) began operations at Guanting Reservoir on April 22. The Tianjin Dredging-designed vessel features 600kW power and 25m digging depth. It transports sludge over 5km, tripling efficiency of previous models. Project targets 11.5M m³ sediment removal. READ MORE

Looking for previous editions? Click here. Feel free to share it with your network and anyone involved in ports and vessels electrification!