VESSEL REVIEW | Hydromover – All-electric catamaran cargo vessel and testbed for operation in Singapore

Singapore shipbuilder Lita Ocean has completed construction of a fully-electric light cargo vessel for operation in the country's waters by Malaysian company Yinson GreenTech (YGT).

Built in compliance to RINA class rules, Hydromover is a catamaran fitted with swappable batteries and space for up to 25 tonnes of cargo. The battery technology provided by Shift Clean Energy generates zero emissions and can potentially reduce operational costs by up to 50 per cent compared to conventional vessels due to improved energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs.

The vessel was the Goal Zero consortium's submission and one of the proposals under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) joint Call-for-Proposals for the electrification of harbour craft to be awarded R&D grants from both the MPA Maritime Innovation and Technology (MINT) Fund and SMI Fund in August 2021. YGT led the vessel's program management, system solutions, and commercialisation, while the other aspects of the project were handled by partners RINA, Shift Clean Energy, and Lita Ocean.

Hydromover will serve as a floating laboratory for YGT and Goal Zero's R&D partners including the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and the Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS), which are working on a holistic digital twin of the vessel. This will facilitate research on the combined effects of variables such as vessel hydrodynamics, propulsion, motor dynamics and battery performance, allowing ship designers and operators to enhance operational efficiency and safety.

The vessel has all-aluminium construction, a length of 18.5 metres, a beam of eight metres, a draught of 1.6 metres at full load, a maximum displacement of 62 tonnes, and accommodations for four crewmembers and up to eight passengers. Two 235kW electric motors with full redundancy deliver a maximum speed of 12 knots and cruising speeds of between eight and 10 knots. When carrying half its maximum rated cargo capacity, the vessel can sail up to 40 nautical miles.

Besides the swappable batteries that are incorporated to reduce vessel downtime due to lengthy charging periods, one notable feature of Hydromover is its hull, which is designed for efficient hydrodynamics to allow smooth and stable operation even in rough seas. The optimised design also minimises drag and maximises energy efficiency.

The vessel is equipped with a single-screen, vessel operating system that provides critical data and real-time information to the crew. This ensures that the crew has all the information they need to make decisions, increasing safety and efficiency on board.

Hydromover is also equipped with advanced decision-making capabilities including energy optimisation, waypoint calculation, collision avoidance, and berthing boundaries. This allows the vessel to operate with maximum efficiency and safety, minimising the risk of human error.

The accommodation spaces include a toilet, a galley, and crew cabins. The interiors feature air conditioning, fire and bilge pumps, fire and gas detectors, and a fixed fire suppression system. There is also space for handheld extinguishers and other safety equipment such as lifejackets.