AYK Energy, a rapidly expanding marine battery manufacturer, has completed a significant battery renewal deal for four Svitzer hybrid tugs operating at Chevron Australia’s Gorgon LNG terminal in Western Australia. The project saw the installation of over 5 MWh of next-generation battery power, refreshing some of the earliest diesel-electric hybrid vessels ever built.
Chris Kruger, founder of AYK Energy, managed the original battery installation for the diesel-electric tugs in 2012. He expressed pride in being brought back to manage the system replacement. The renewal project successfully recycled the old batteries and installed new AYK Aires battery systems on the four vessels: the Svitzer Euro, Svitzer Perentie, Svitzer Boodie, and Svitzer Dugong.
Doubling Power and Range with New Technology
Battery technology has advanced considerably since the initial deployment. The new AYK Aires batteries deliver twice the energy density of the original units, providing the tugs with significantly greater power and range. In total, AYK manufactured more than 5 MWh of battery power for the deal, equating to 1.3 MWh on each tug. These systems were built at AYK’s new, 5,000 sqm automated manufacturing plant in Zhuhai, China, which opened in 2023.
“It is brilliant to be working on these four Svitzer tugs again, which are real trailblazers as some of the first diesel-electric hybrid tugs ever built,” Kruger said. “The key now is to make them even more effective using the latest battery innovations. These new Aires batteries are not only much more powerful, they are safer, cheaper to buy, easier to install and maintain and they can run for much longer periods.”
The new systems reinforce how marine batteries play a fundamental role in decarbonizing the maritime industry now, not just in the future.
LFP Chemistry Outperforms NMC for Safety and Density
For the Svitzer tugs, AYK chose Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry for its batteries. Kruger noted that LFP is inherently safer and more stable than the commonly used Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC).
Historically, NMC was favored for its perceived superior energy density. However, AYK’s deployment demonstrates a pivotal market shift: “AYK is now showing that LFP can outperform NMC and deliver greater energy density, higher safety and better value,” Kruger asserted. The Zhuhai plant, which built the units, has a production capacity of 300 MWh a year and the ability to expand up to 1 GWh.
Surge in Demand and Global Expansion Plans
AYK Energy is reporting a surge in demand across the maritime industry, supplying batteries for a diverse range of vessels, including tugs, OSVs, superyachts, fishing vessels, and large container vessels.
Sales are projected to reach 100 MWh in 2025. This growth signals that AYK is successfully competing with established players and winning larger orders based on its advanced, cost-effective technology. AYK is now actively seeking investors to drive further growth, with strategic plans to establish manufacturing facilities in both the United States and Europe.
