Padmesh Prabhune –
In its pursuit of enhancing infrastructure with new harbor craft operating in the Port of Singapore to be fully electric, be capable of using B100 biofuel, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has started the first pilot trial for an electric harbor craft (e-HC) charging point at the Marina South Pier.
The charging point at the Marina South Pier was awarded to the consortium comprising Pyxis Energy, Pyxis Maritime, and SP Mobility.
The trial was launched this week beginning April 8, 2024 following a call for proposals issued on August 29, 2023, to develop and operate e-HC charging points at various locations under a two-year pilot scheme.
Under this pilot, Pyxis and SP Mobility partnership has deployed a 150-kilowatt (kW) land-based direct current fast charger with a combined charging system 2 connector at Marina South Pier. This charger can charge an e-HC with an approximate battery capacity of 500 kWh in around three hours and enable an operating range of about 90 kilometers.
Pyxis’ fleet of e-HCs operating at MSP will serve as the base offtake to ensure the optimization of the charging infrastructure and enable comprehensive data to be gathered. Insights from the data collected will contribute towards the development of a national e-HC charging infrastructure masterplan, implementation plan, and national standards for e-HC charging infrastructure, MPA explained.
Tommy Phun, Founder of Pyxis, said: “With a purpose-built aluminium catamaran hull, an efficient electric propulsion chain, and an IoT-enabled digital ecosystem platform, the Pyxis One pushes the boundaries of innovation and brings significant productivity gains compared to traditional diesel vessels. In addition to our electric harbour craft meeting Singapore’s 2030 and 2050 targets early, there is also expected total ownership cost savings compared to our traditional vessels.”
Marex Media