Andorra-based marine battery maker AYK Energy has won a high-profile contract to supply Greenpeace International’s new flagship vessel. This accelerates the transition to electric shipping.
The vessel is under construction at Freire Shipyard in Spain. AYK will deliver a three megawatt-hour (MWh) Aires+ battery system, recently approved by classification society DNV. The ship is scheduled for delivery in 2027 and will be the most environmentally advanced vessel in Greenpeace’s fleet. Propulsion will combine two electric drive propellers, 1,746 sqm of sails, solar panels, and AYK battery packs, enabling near-zero emissions. Greenpeace plans for the vessel to transition to 100% green power when feasible.
AYK founder Chris Kruger called the deal a major endorsement of the company’s technology. “It’s a flagship vessel not only for Greenpeace International, but for the future of low-emission shipping,” he said. “Our batteries will enable silent, zero-emission operations in sensitive and emissions-restricted areas.”
The contract follows a strong year for AYK Energy, which installed two 12 MWh Orion+ batteries on Brittany Ferries’ hybrid electric ferries Guillaume de Normandie and Saint-Malo. Also, these are among the largest marine battery installations in the world and allow the vessels to operate on zero-emission battery power in port.
Kruger emphasized that batteries must offer a clear business case to drive wider adoption. “The new AYK range, including the system for Greenpeace, is designed to pay for itself within a few years,” he said.
