AYK Energy Gains DNV Approval for Innovative Marine Battery Range to Transform Shipping Industry

**Marine Battery Maker AYK Energy Secures DNV Approval for ‘Game Changing’ New Range**

AYK Energy is poised to significantly increase the production of its innovative marine batteries following the recent type approval from DNV. This classification society has endorsed AYK Energy’s new battery models, including the Pisces, Pisces +, OrionAN, and OrionAN+, along with aluminum variants of the company’s legacy modules. This achievement sets new standards for clean energy in marine propulsion.

Chris Kruger, the founder of AYK Energy, described the approval as a pivotal moment that makes marine battery technology more accessible, thereby promoting widespread adoption. He announced that this approval allows the company to install a 10.4 MWh Pisces + battery system on the largest retrofit project ever undertaken: the hybrid-electric Ropax ferry, Aurora Botnia, owned by Wasaline, which operates daily routes between Finland and Sweden.

“We are incredibly proud to have secured this approval from DNV,” Mr. Kruger stated. “It reflects the immense dedication of our engineering team to pursue innovation without sacrificing safety, quality, or performance. We have listened to industry needs and developed this battery range to achieve higher energy density, which is particularly beneficial for ferries, workboats, and tugs. Simultaneously, we are innovating systems that balance power and energy density, enhancing their suitability for hybrid applications.”

Mr. Kruger emphasized that the latest battery range from AYK is significantly reducing costs, making these batteries more affordable and driving their adoption. “That’s why we founded AYK,” he explained. “We aim to lead practical innovation in the industry. Everyone wants to see reduced emissions and greener shipping. However, batteries will only be part of the decarbonization strategy if ship owners find the financials compelling. There needs to be a strong business case, and that’s precisely what this new AYK range delivers — facilitating mass adoption of batteries that can pay for themselves within a few years.”

This approval follows AYK’s earlier installation of 12 megawatt-hour (MWh) Orion+ batteries on Brittany Ferries’ hybrid-electric ferry, Guillaume de Normandie, after a similar system was installed on its sister ship, Saint-Malo, at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Weihai. These installations are among the largest marine battery setups globally, allowing the vessels to operate on zero-emission battery power during port maneuvers, thus improving air quality and reducing emissions in densely populated port areas. The ferries are designed to operate on LNG, battery power, or a combination of both.

Mr. Kruger noted that the appeal of batteries is growing as vessel operators face increasing pressure to adopt greener practices. More ports, including Rotterdam, Antwerp, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Singapore, are now requiring low or zero-emission operations. Additionally, the European Union is targeting operators through the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which imposes fines for non-compliance with emissions reporting and may even deny port access for repeated violations. The EU is also implementing the FuelEU maritime program, which sets limits on the carbon intensity of ship energy and encourages the use of green fuels.

Chris Kruger is recognized as a pioneer in marine battery technology, having transitioned from the electric car industry to marine applications. He developed the battery for the first hybrid propulsion ferry, Prinsesse Benedikte, and the first fully electric ferry, Ampere, in 2012. Originally from South Africa and currently based in Andorra, he founded AYK Energy in 2018 and established its first factory in China in 2023, strategically located near the heart of the battery industry supply chain, which he believes is a decade ahead of Europe.