COASTAL SUSTAINABILITY ALLIANCE PARTNERS KEN ENERGY TO DEPLOY ELECTRIC SUPPLY BOATS IN SINGAPORE

Green energy solutions firm Ken Energy has signed a letter of intent with the Coastal Sustainability Alliance (CSA) today to purchase fully-electric supply (esupply) boats from leading offshore marine engineering company, PaxOcean. The e-supply boats will be one of the first zero-emissions electric vessels to operate in the region and amongst the first to be designed, built and deployed in Singapore.

PaxOcean has designed and engineered the first-generation e-supply boat PXO-EXL-1, which will play an integral role in supporting coastal ships' supply deliveries with improved energy and operational efficiencies. The e-supply vessel has received in-principle approval from the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), Bureau Veritas Marine, and Registro Italiano Navale (RINA).

Additionally, PaxOcean and CSA member Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine Singapore (TCOMS) are collaborating to create digital twins of the electric vessels, thus enabling optimal operational performance while considering the various metocean conditions in which the ship will operate.

Mr Desmond Chong, Managing Director of Ken Energy, said, “In our focus of developing and implementing green energy solutions, we aim to advance the use of renewable energy and alternative fuels, as a means of reducing emissions and promoting a more sustainable and greener environment. As a start, we are looking into reducing our carbon footprint by exploring the use of PXO e-supply vessels to supply provisions and ship spares to our own fleet of bunker tankers. By adopting new technologies and ship designs, we anticipate a boost in optimisation for a more efficient marine supply chain.”

The PXO e-supply vessels are expected to operate in tandem with the charging electric infrastructure network made available in partnership with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Jurong Port. This deployment is ahead of MPA’s directive that all new harbour crafts must be fully electric, capable of using B100 biofuel or compatible with net-zero fuels by 2030.

Mr Tan Thai Yong, Chief Executive Officer, PaxOcean and Chairperson, CSA Council, said, "The commitment from Ken Energy to acquire the PXO e-supply boats is a significant recognition of the impact that the Coastal Sustainability Alliance's collective strengths can have in transforming Singapore's coastal maritime ecosystem to be future-ready. As the innovators, designers, and builders of these locally-customised vessels, CSA members are immensely encouraged by the global interest and support for the PXO e-vessel series. Our galvanised efforts are gaining traction among industry players, and we are proud to play a role in shaping the future of Singapore’s maritime supply chain and ecosystem."

CSA is on track to build Singapore’s next-generation coastal ecosystem
Besides the commercial sale of the PXO e-vessels, CSA is also working on a demand consolidation system with major ship owners and managers to increase operational and cost efficiencies. This will be achieved through optimised routing and utilisation of return vessels, thus reducing voyage costs.

In line with CSA's objectives to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs in Singapore and uplift the maritime industry's value chain, over 70% of the e-supply boat components are sourced from local SMEs. This will generate business opportunities for at least seven (7) SMEs, resulting in a more resilient maritime business ecosystem.

Commenting on CSA’s progress to date, Mr Tan said, “We have made significant progress in the five strategic areas outlined in our mission to systematically decarbonise Singapore’s maritime ecosystem in a coherent and comprehensive manner. These include designing and building electric vessels, improving supply chain resilience to uplift SME capabilities, establishing electric charging infrastructure, optimising fleet and maritime logistics and creating career growth opportunities and skills training. We welcome interested parties to reach out to us to explore how we can collaborate and create a more sustainable maritime industry.”

Mr Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry and Transformation) of MPA, said: “We are heartened to see harbourcraft electrification gathering momentum and look forward to engaging Ken Energy and CSA early on the vessel design to optimise them for deployment in the local environment. Such close collaborations with these like-minded partners will help accelerate decarbonisation to meet Singapore’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.”

CSA is spearheaded by Kuok Maritime, comprising PaxOcean Holdings Pte Ltd (PaxOcean), Pacific Carriers Limited (PCL) and POSH (PACC Offshore Services Holdings). The CSA members include Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), GenPlus, Jurong Port Singapore, Sea Forrest, Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS), and TES. The Alliance aims to build the next-generation of Singapore’s maritime ecosystem and accelerate the decarbonisation, electrification and advancement in energy-efficient logistics and engineering solutions by 2030.

Ken Energy Pte. Ltd. is a company that focuses on developing and implementing green energy solutions. The company is committed to advancing the use of renewable energy and alternative fuels, as a means of reducing emissions and promoting a greener environment.

Kuok (Singapore) Limited (KSL) is an investment holding company with interests in maritime activities, agrisolutions, property and equity investments in various listed companies. KSL was founded in 1948 and has since grown into a Group with a multi-billion asset base. KSL shares a common heritage with two other holding companies, namely Kerry Holdings Limited in Hong Kong and Kuok Brothers in Malaysia, in that they were all founded by the Kuok family. The subsidiaries under KSL include but not limited to PACC Offshore Services Holdings (POSH), Pacific Carriers Limited (PCL), PaxOcean Group, AllGreen Properties, Agrifert Group and K2 Data Centres. The Group will continue to build on its legacy and bring entrepreneurial spirit, heart and ambition to businesses in Asia as it innovates for the future.

Kuok Maritime group of companies of PaxOcean Group (PaxOcean), Pacific Carriers Limited (PCL), PACC Offshore Services Holdings (POSH), Pacific Workboats Pte Ltd (PWPL) and KSL Maritime Ventures (KMV) serves the maritime value chain from provision of offshore maritime and subsea support services, shipping and transportation, newbuilding to supporting start-ups offering technological and innovative solutions to the industry. The group is also a leader in the Coastal Sustainability Alliance in Singapore, working with like-minded industry partners to build a sustainable next-generation maritime ecosystem, accelerating decarbonisation efforts through vessel electrification, advancements in engineering solutions and coastal logistics optimisation. With a clear focus on maintaining the highest safety standards and anchored in bringing leading-edge, innovative services and solutions to the industry, Kuok Maritime Group is committed to creating a sustainable environment for the entire maritime value chain.

A subsidiary of Kuok Singapore Limited, PaxOcean owns and operates five shipyards located in Singapore, China and Indonesia. First established in 2007 in Singapore, PaxOcean offers a wide range of services covering newbuilding, module fabrication, green recycling, repairs and conversion of conventional and renewable energy assets.