The Coastal Sustainability Alliance (CSA), an industry collaborative effort led by Kuok Maritime Group (KMG), has signed two letters of intent (LOIs). The first focused on prioritizing the use of PXO’s E-Supply Boat by key ship agencies during an upcoming trial, and the second focused on developing a multimodal, multisite marine charging infrastructure.
These partnerships mark a significant milestone in advancing the adoption of e-vessels and supporting infrastructure, setting the stage for the fruition of CSA’s vision to develop Singapore’s next-generation coastal logistics ecosystem.
Singapore’s largest electric supply boat
The PXO E-Supply Boat Voltai is reportedly Singapore’s largest electric supply boat and one of the first to be accorded Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Tier 1 design for next-generation electric harbor craft.
Recently delivered from PaxOcean Batam, the vessel has four times the cargo space of conventional supply boats. The Voltai also features a zero-emission propulsion system and an advanced energy storage system. Additionally, the vessel’s battery energy storage system enables zero-emission operations and covers an 80-nautical-mile range at 8 knots while reducing operational costs and carbon footprint.
Milk run trial for e-supply boat adoption
KMG has signed an LOI with seven major ship agencies and one chandler – GAC Singapore, Horizon Shipping Agencies, Inchcape Shipping Services, Johnasia Shipping, RMS Marine & Offshore Service, Sinoda Shipping Agency and Wilhelmsen Port Services – to use the services of PXO’s Voltai for deliveries to seagoing vessels in a one-year trial. The trial will prioritize lightboat operators making multiple deliveries, known as a ‘milk run’, to improve operational efficiency, lower carbon footprint, reduce marine traffic congestion and lower costs associated with operating electric vessels.
The trial addresses the growing pressure on merchant shipowners to reduce Scope 3 emissions, offering a commercially viable pathway for greener supply chain solutions. Each E-Supply Boat trip is expected to cut 0.5 metric tons of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions per arrival of a merchant ship at the Port of Singapore. Furthermore, the findings from the trial will reportedly influence the development of future PXO boats, ensuring that they align with industry needs while advancing Singapore’s decarbonization goals.
Multisite, multimodal marine charging infrastructure
KMG has signed another LOI with Singaporean and international companies – BeeCharge Innovation Group, Jurong Port, Pyxis, Rexus Bioenergy, SP Mobility and Wilhelmsen Ships Service – to provide charging infrastructure and facilities to support Voltai’s appointed operator during the milk run trial. This partnership will feature a multimodal and multilocation approach featuring various charging infrastructure, including shore-based charging at key waterfront sites and mobile charging powered by solar energy for on-demand needs. As the charging infrastructure will operate on a common technical standard, it is expected to be critical in accelerating MaritimeSG’s green transition by enabling efficient charging turnaround for e-vessels and minimizing operational downtime.
Tan Thai Yong, managing director and CEO of PaxOcean group and chairperson of CSA, said, “The commitment by leading ship agencies and a chandler to prioritize the hiring of the PXO E-Supply Boat Voltai marks a fundamental shift in maritime logistics. Traditionally, supply boat operations have been conducted point-to-point, leading to inefficiencies and increasing emissions. Implementing the milk run model consolidates multiple deliveries into optimized routes, benefiting all stakeholders by reducing unnecessary trips, lowering operational costs and significantly cutting emissions. This initiative can transform legacy port logistics, setting the stage for an industry-wide shift toward sustainable and efficient operations.
On the charging partnership LOI, he added, “By bringing together various site owners and charging partners, we envision concurrent efforts contributing to Singapore’s electric charging infrastructure along the coastline, eventually extending beyond our PXO vessels’ operating bases. Over time, we hope to see more public charging infrastructure deployed strategically and decisively along Singapore’s shoreline to support operations in the Western and Eastern anchorages.”
In related news, CSA recently launched its first fully electric supply boat and keel laid its first fully electric tug. Click here to read the full story.
