Marine battery maker AYK Energy has announced a significant milestone: its latest range of marine batteries has received type approval from DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider. This crucial classification enables AYK Energy to rapidly ramp up manufacturing of what it describes as a “game-changing” new line, designed to slash costs and accelerate the mass adoption of battery technology in the maritime sector.
DNV has specifically approved AYK Energy’s Pisces, Pisces +, OrionAN, and OrionAN+ models, alongside aluminum versions of AYK’s legacy modules. These new standards aim to revolutionize clean energy marine propulsion. The batteries are engineered to electrify a wide array of vessels, including ferries, tugs, workboats, superyachts, and fishing vessels, as well as larger tankers and container ships.
Driving Affordability and Adoption
Chris Kruger, founder of AYK Energy, highlighted the immediate impact of the DNV approval. “This approval is a game changer, making marine battery technology more affordable and driving adoption,” Kruger stated. He confirmed it immediately enables the company to install a 10.4MWh Pisces+ battery system on the Aurora Botnia, a hybrid-electric Ropax ferry operated by Wasaline, as part of the biggest retrofit project ever undertaken. This system will serve the daily route between Finland and Sweden.
“We are very proud to secure this approval from DNV,” Kruger added. “It testifies to our engineering team’s enormous efforts to drive innovation without compromising safety, quality, and performance.” He explained that AYK listened to industry demands, developing solutions for both higher energy density (ideal for ferries, workboats, and tugs) and a balance between power and energy density, which suits hybrid applications. This adaptable system design allows AYK to respond swiftly to cell technology developments and market demands, moving from concept to type-approved solution within months. Consequently, AYK now offers the widest range of system choices in the maritime industry.
Kruger emphasized that the latest AYK battery range actively slashes costs. This makes the batteries more affordable, thereby driving broader adoption. “We wanted to lead practical innovation in the industry,” he commented, referring to AYK’s founding vision. “We all want to see fewer emissions and green shipping. But batteries will only be part of the decarbonization agenda if ship owners see the sums add up. There has to be a compelling business case. This new AYK range is all about mass adoption of batteries that can pay for themselves within a matter of years.”
Proven Performance and Growing Market Demand
The DNV approval follows recent successful large-scale installations. Earlier this year, AYK installed 12 megawatt-hour (MWh) Orion+ batteries on Brittany Ferries’ Guillaume de Normandie hybrid-electric ferry, replicating an exact same system aboard its sister ship Saint-Malo at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Weihai. These represent some of the largest marine battery installations globally. Now in operation, these vessels can operate on zero-emission battery power when entering and exiting ports, significantly improving air quality and reducing emissions in built-up areas. Both ferries are designed to run on LNG, battery power, or a combination.
Kruger noted that batteries are becoming increasingly attractive as pressure mounts on vessel operators to achieve greener operations. More ports worldwide, including Rotterdam, Antwerp, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Singapore, now mandate low or zero-emission operations. Regulatory frameworks like the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) impose fines for non-compliance and can even deny port access for repeated breaches. Furthermore, the FuelEU Maritime programme sets limits on the carbon intensity of a ship’s energy, actively encouraging the use of green fuels.
Chris Kruger is widely recognized as a founder of marine battery technology, transitioning to maritime after initially working in the electric car industry. He developed the battery for the Prinsesse Benedikte, the first hybrid propulsion ferry, and the Ampere, the first fully electric ferry, in 2012. Kruger established AYK Energy in 2018, strategically building its first factory in China in 2023. This decision placed manufacturing close to the center of the battery industry supply chain, which he assesses as 10 years ahead of Europe.
