Shift’s battery technology will deliver peak shaving capability for optimised energy use 

VANCOUVER; 8 March 2022: A new partnership between climate action solution provider Shift Clean Energy (Shift), SeaTech and Vitol, a leader in the energy sector, will provide Vitol’s bunker operations company, V-Bunkers, with Singapore’s first hybrid bunker tankers. They will be designed by SeaTech Solutions, using Shift’s energy storage systems (ESS). 

This marine electrification project will see up to four hybrid bunker tankers provided to V-Bunkers, all fitted with Shift’s 480-Kwh liquid cooled ESS and battery management systems. This will result in improved fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 10 per cent a year.  

Shift’s ESS will be primarily used for peak shaving (storing energy during low power consumption for use during peak usage periods, allowing main generators to operate with a more stable load). This solution helps to optimise energy use, significantly reduce fuel and maintenance costs, improve responsiveness and reliability of power management and in turn enhances safety of operations. 

“With our partners Red Offshore, we’re excited to be partnering with V-Bunkers on this important clean energy initiative for their hybrid bunker tanker operations in Singapore,” said Brent Perry, Shift’s CEO. “This demonstrates that there are opportunities to reduce GHGs for oil and gas companies anywhere in the supply chain. V-Bunkers is showing tremendous leadership with this electrification project and Shift is proud to be part of such a huge step in decarbonising the short sea shipping sector. We look forward to developing our relationship with them and supporting their leadership in shifting to clean energy solutions in the sector.” 

The move to adopt Shift’s clean energy solution will help decarbonise the V-Bunkers’ fleet operations and support the company’s ongoing emissions reduction and commercial objectives. 

“A bunkering fleet is a crucial component of global shipping infrastructure, so it makes sense to look at ways to reduce GHGs here,” said Mike Muller, Head of Vitol Asia. “Adopting the right fuel efficiency technology is imperative to the sector’s growth and development and we look forward to implementing Shift’s ESS to offer the highest levels of safety and efficiency throughout our bunker craft operations.” 

“We are delighted to work with Vitol’s Singaporean bunker operations company, V-Bunkers, which recently received the Green Ship Award from Maritime and Port Authority Singapore,” said Prabjot Chopra, Vice President of Technology of SeaTech. “The new hybrid bunker tankers are tailored and optimised for their operating profile to reduce the GHG emission by about 10 per cent without significantly increasing the capital expenditures. Shift’s ESS was specified for this design for its superior safety and efficiency.” 

V-Bunkers is a leading supplier of barge logistics services in the port of Singapore. Their new venture into GHG-reducing ESS use builds on their commitment to achieving high standards of cleaner, more sustainable barge operatorship. 

Shift currently supplies battery-based ESS technology to the marine industry, as well as its PwrSwäp pay-as-you-go power service to on land customers such as ports, terminals, offshore wind farms and beyond. The use of battery technology in marine energy is quickly expanding as the shipping industry continues to transition to greener energy sources in the effort to reduce its carbon footprint. 

About V-Bunkers  

V-Bunkers is an experienced bunker craft owner, manager and operator. Fully owned by Vitol and based in the world’s largest bunkering port of Singapore, V-Bunkers offers a reliable bunker delivery service to shipowners across Asia and beyond. In April 2021, V-Bunkers was named top Bunker Craft Operator at the Singapore International Maritime Awards and in October 2021 received the Green Ship Award from Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). 

About Shift Clean Energy 

Shift Clean Energy enables customers to meet their climate action and ESG goals with clean energy solutions based on leading-edge energy storage systems. Our practical pay-as-you-go PwrSwäp service, based on swappable batteries, provides reliability and less risk. Customers save money from day one through electrification, integrating ESS and renewable energy for both commercial and maritime applications. Shift partners with Red Offshore to provide support in Singapore. Join us on our mission to zero emissions. More information about Shift is available at: shift-cleanenergy.com 

About SeaTech Solutions 

Singapore-based SeaTech has built a strong reputation in vessel design and engineering excellence since its establishment in 2000. Its compendium of over 380 unique designs showcases extensive expertise, innovation and technology, propelling the company as a centre for marine and offshore excellence, offering a complete suite of competencies in-house, from design to engineering and consulting. To date, over 640 vessels operating worldwide bear the SeaTech hallmark of energy efficiency, safety and reliability. 

For all media enquiries:  

Kendall Spencer 

Coast Communications and Public Affairs 

E: kendall@coastcomms.ca 

M: 604.834.4265