Shift

Author: Shift Team

  • Vallianz, SeaTech, Shift Clean Energy and ABS Teaming Up to Design and Build the First Environmentally-Friendly, All-Electric Tug in Asia Pacific

    • E-tug based on SeaTech’s “E-Volt Electric Tug” design with Shift providing its battery system
    • Construction of the e-tug will be carried out at Vallianz’s shipyard in Batam, Indonesia

    SINGAPORE, 22 February 2022 – Vallianz Holdings Limited (“Vallianz” or the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”), SeaTech Solutions International Pte Ltd (“SeaTech”), Shift Clean Energy (“Shift”) and the American Bureau of Shipping (“ABS”) have formed a strategic alliance to combine their respective technical expertise and engineering capabilities for the construction of an all-electric, zero carbon emissions harbour tug (“e-tug”) – the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific region.

    To mark this collaboration and commencement of the e-tug’s construction, representatives from Vallianz, SeaTech, Shift and ABS attended a signing ceremony held today at Vallianz’s headquarters in Singapore, in conjunction with a livestream of the steel-cutting ceremony at Vallianz’s shipyard in Batam, Indonesia, Vallianz PT USP.

    Based on the “E-Volt Electric Tug” design by SeaTech, the e-tug will be driven by a fully-classed electric battery system provided by Canadian-based Shift. This follows a recent Memorandum of Understanding between Vallianz and Shift to collaborate on vessels that require electrification solutions.

    The e-tug’s battery design adheres to the ABS “Guide for Use of Lithium Batteries in the Marine and Offshore Industries” and the ABS “Guide for Hybrid Electric Power Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications”.

    Measuring an overall length of about 24 meters, the e-tug will be powered fully by battery and equipped with azimuth propulsion. It will have a bollard pull in excess of 60 tonnes with service speed of over 12 knots. A key feature of this project is the addition of a value-added onshore charging infrastructure whichallows any client to seamlessly integrate this vessel into their existing port operations. The digitization platform installed on the e-tug – from its battery management system to auxiliary equipment systems – will enable the end-user to remotely monitor and optimize the vessel’s operational efficiency.

    Said Mr Darren Yeo, Executive Vice Chairman of Vallianz, “Our strategic collaboration with Seatech, ABS and Shift is a major milestone in the development of the Group’s business. This e-tug project with ourpartners will enhance the Group’s technical know-how and engineering expertise to embark on the construction of environmentally-friendly vessels. It is in line with Vallianz’s sustainability efforts and puts us at the forefront of the global marine industry’s trend towards sustainability and decarbonisation.

    As the first of its kind in Asia Pacific, the e-tug will yield environmental and economic benefits to the end-users, industry and community at large, in achieving their zero-emission environmental targets. We expect this e-tug to transform the way port operations are carried out. The operational e-tug will reduce at least 150 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually versus a conventional tug. This is equivalent to removing 500 typical passenger vehicles from the road.

    The e-tug will act as a showcase of our shipyard’s capabilities and clearly demonstrate Vallianz’s constant efforts to transform and innovate our business. We believe this will place the Group in a good position to capitalise on potential demand in a number of markets where there is growing interest in e-tugs such as Asia, Middle East and Australia.”

    “We are excited to be partnering with these best-in-class companies,”said Brent Perry, CEO, Shift Clean Energy. “We share their commitment to decarbonising the marine and port industries, and are excited about this Asia Pacific first – a 100 per cent zero emission tug. Electrification of vessels like these is an option because of our safe marine batteries, which we develop to exceed all regulations in place now, and those that would be anticipated even over the next 30 years.”

    Mr Govinder Singh Chopra, Director of SeaTech, stated: “The E-Volt Tug is our customized and cost-effective electric solution for harbour Tugs to reduce emissions within the ports around the world. We at SeaTech are delighted to be part of this milestone in line with SeaTech’s vision of a decarbonised Maritime 4.0.”

    “ABS is proud to be able to use our extensive experience with hybrid electric systems to support the decarbonisation of our industry, a goal which this innovative project brings a key step closer. ABS Industry leading modelling and simulation techniques are also under exploration for this project to further optimize the design and evaluate decarbonisation performance of the tug,” said Pier Carazzai, ABS Vice President, Pacific Regional Business Development.

    The construction of the e-tug is not expected to have any material impact on the net tangible assets or earnings per share of the Group for the current financial year ending 31 March 2022.

    About Vallianz Holdings Limited

    Vallianz is an established provider of offshore marine and engineering solutions for the global energy industry. To keep pace with the transformation of energy markets, the Group continually advances its capabilities and adapts its solutions to meet customers’ needs.

    From its headquarters in Singapore, the Group’s reach extends to markets in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Central America. To enhance its customer value-add, Vallianz offers integrated solutions across five core pillars — offshore support vessel chartering, specialised heavy transport, shipyard and engineering, marine technology, and renewable energy.

    Today, Vallianz is a leading provider of offshore support vessels. Together with its affiliated company in the Middle East, they have a combined fleet of over 100 vessels that provide critical support to customers in the conventional and renewable energy sectors. The Group also owns a shipyard in Batam, Indonesia, which has strong in-house fabrication and engineering capabilities. Listed on SGX-Catalist, Vallianz is helmed by an experienced management team.

    About Vallianz PT USP

    Established since 2006, Vallianz PT. United Sindo Perkasa (Vallianz PT USP) is wholly-owned subsidiary of the Groupand is located in the Kabil Industry Zone of Batam, Indonesia. Vallianz PT USP’s shipyard in Batam serves as a marine base for vessel docking, repair and maintenance works. The shipyard possesses strong in-house fabrication and engineering capabilities such as ship building, ship conversion, ship repair, machining works, piping repairs and installation and mechanical repair of marine equipment.

    For more details about the Group, please refer to http://www.vallianzholdings.com.

    About SeaTech Solutions International Pte Ltd

    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 more information about SeaTech, please refer to https://www.seatechsolutions.com

    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. Understood to be the safest and most reliable energy storage solutions on the market today, and the first commercial marine solutions company to offer pay-as-you-go PwrSwäp subscription energy systems. Customers save money from day one through electrification, integrating ESS and renewable energy for both commercial and maritime applications. Join us on our mission to zero emissions.

    About American Bureau of Shipping

    ABS, a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, is committed to setting standards for safety and excellence in design and construction. Focused on safe and practical application of advanced technologies and digital solutions, ABS works with industry and clients to develop accurate and cost-effective compliance, optimized performance and operational efficiency for marine and offshore assets.

    For more details about ABS, please refer to https://www.eagle.org

  • KOTUG Starts with Zero-Emission Transportation of Cocoa Beans from Port of Amsterdam to Zaandam with First Electric E-Pusher™ Type M

    KOTUG will deploy the KOTUG E-Pusher type M and four barges for zero-emission barging of cocoa beans from Cargill between the Port of Amsterdam, the largest cocoa import port in the world, and their cacao facilities in Zaandam. The vessel is equipped with swappable battery energy containers from Shift Clean Energy (Shift), which is part of the revolutionary design of the vessel and will utilize Shift’s unique battery swapping and charging stations.

    Cargill will be the first company with this fully electrified industrial setup for inland shipping.

    With the 100 per cent electric E-Pusher, KOTUG supports companies that want to build more resilient and sustainable supply chains. The modular and scalable electric pusher tug is powered by swappable energy containers. With this zero-emission solution, KOTUG supports the worldwide energy transition and the modal shift from road transport to waterways. Furthermore, due to the modular approach and lean assembly method, KOTUG reduced the construction time by more than half compared to traditional pusher boats. The E-Pusher type M can push barges with up to 4,000 tons of cargo. The E-Pusher Series consists of three types: Small, Medium and Large, respectively for transportation in inner cities, over short distances and the larger inland waterways.

    Improving CAPEX and OPEX

    By using barges, the E-Pusher concept contributes to a more efficient operation compared to traditional vessels. Efficiency is also achieved with the swappable energy container from Shift Clean Energy; changing the container at one of the battery hubs on-the-go is done in a few minutes. In addition, empty batteries can be recharged at night, taking advantage of possible energy surpluses in the grid.

    Shift’s PwrSwäp Solutions
    Shift provides swappable energy containers that utilize its zero-emission ESS battery systems which range from 70kWH to 6MWh. These modular ESS battery systems are charged through clean power generation from biogas, hydrogen, and other renewable energy sources either onboard the vessels or at Shift’s dedicated PwrSwäp energy stations. By swapping these ESS battery systems, uptime is maximized for the vessel owners.

    Ard-Jan Kooren, President & CEO of KOTUG International: “We launched the E-Pusher concept in 2021, and the smaller type, the E-Pusher S (The CityBarge One), is already successfully deployed in several inland waterways and cities. I am very proud that an international company like Cargill is our first customer for the E-Pusher type M. The vessel is designed for transportations like these and guarantees zero-emission logistics and a significantly approved efficiency. As a result, we can support a broad range of industries to turn a part of their supply chain emission-free without extra costs. The applications of the E-Pusher are endless and vary from the transportation of (construction) waste to construction materials to all kinds of products and packages.   

    Paul Hughes, President & Co-Founder Shift Clean Energy: “We are thrilled to partner with KOTUG for the supply of the swappable batteries for the revolutionary E-Pusher™ type M.  With our PwrSwäp charging stations along the route, as part of the broader Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp route, we can eliminate any concerns on range anxiety. In our opinion, overcoming this important hurdle will open the door to large-scale electrification of vessels, and thus to zero-emission water transportation. Our PwrSwäp charging stations will be multi-fuel and open access and will provide an important infrastructure improvement for ports and cities as they progress their emissions reduction programs. This is a great start.”

    Alma Prins, Head Cargo and Offshore at Port of Amsterdam: ”I applaud these kinds of developments and initiatives. As the largest cocoa import port in the world, many cocoa beans arrive here in Amsterdam. It’s great that these can be transported emission-free between the warehouses in our port and the Cargill factories in Zaandam. We want to move towards a climate-neutral port, so the fewer emissions, the better.”

    KOTUG E-Pusher™ M-type

    About KOTUG

    KOTUG is a leading maritime family-owned company, offering its innovative towage and maritime related services on a global scale. KOTUG is firmly committed to the highest industry standards of health, safety, environment, quality and security. Adding value by sustainability-focused innovations, KOTUG provides the complete portfolio based on a combination of long-standing knowledge and advanced technologies. From designing, building, chartering and operating vessels to training people and providing innovative consultancy services. The company’s expertise is divided across five pillars: Towage, Training & Consultancy, Intelligence, Subsea and Maritime Excellence. KOTUG is active in Europe, Russia, Asia, Australia, Africa, Middle East, North and South America and the Caribbean and continues to expand its operations worldwide. www.kotug.com

    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. Understood to be the safest and most reliable energy storage solutions on the market today, and the first commercial marine solutions company to offer pay-as-you-go PwrSwäp subscription energy systems.  Customers save money from day one through electrification, integrating ESS and renewable energy for both commercial and maritime applications. Join us on our mission to zero emissions. www.shift-cleanenergy.com

  • Shift Clean Energy Announces Approval of its Energy Storage System by World-Leading Certifier Bureau Veritas

    VANCOUVER; 11 January 2022: Shift Clean Energy (Shift) has received its second major certification for its clean energy storage solution (ESS) by Bureau Veritas (BV), world leader in testing, inspection and certification. This important certification further endorses Shift’s ESS solution as safe and effective.

    BV’s marine and offshore division has approved Shift’s lithium-ion battery-based ESS use in fully electric or hybrid vessels as well as on land uses. The batteries that have been certified include Kokam lithium cells.

    “Bureau Veritas is one of the most highly respected certifiers in the world and having their stamp of approval demonstrates to our customers that Shift’s clean energy solutions are a good choice in our customers’ climate action programs,” said Brent Perry, Shift Chief Executive Officer. “Our goal is to provide our customers the safest, highest quality ESS as part of their climate action solutions. Our batteries work, the way our customers need them to, and safety is built into the very design.”

    Shift’s batteries include features such as CellSwäp©, which reduces net carbon impact by re-using primary components and replace and recycle only the cells instead of replacing the system every 10 years. OnWatch, the all-in-one software platform analyzes and supervises key battery performance indicators and performance 24/7 for a customer’s entire fleet, and enables proactive maintenance, enhances battery life and conserves reliability of every single module. The CellCool© system enables all cells to consistently operate at optimal temperatures. It reverses thermal runaway incidents and extends cell life.

    Shift is a leading supplier of clean energy solutions to the marine market and beyond and is responsible for some of the first electrified vessels in market, including the first electric ferry in southern Europe in Aveiro, Portugal, and a pilot program to electrify harbour vessels at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. Shift recently launched its new PwrSwäp service, a pay-as-you go subscription service which allows customers to start saving money on day one while electrifying and moving to zero emissions. Based on Shift’s best-in-class ESS, PwrSwäp provides customers with fully charged swappable ePod battery cartridges and all related components which are connected through cloud-based service and management centres. The swappable batteries are sized per trip instead of a permanent 10-year system, greatly reducing size and weight and cost, some of the biggest barriers to ESS use. PwrSwäp is an excellent solution for on land activities such as ports, terminals, industrial sites and small communities.

  • Industrial Service Solutions to Supply Zeeboat, LLC With Four Fully Electric Towboats

    HOUSTON 21 Dec 2021: Industrial Service Solutions (ISS) announced it will provide Zeeboat, LLC (Zeeboat™) with general contract, project management and vessel support services for the manufacture and delivery of four fully electric towboats to become available for charter in 2025. The purpose of the vessels is to support container transit with a zero-emissions towboat solution. These will be the first electric towboats built in North America.  Zeeboat ™ and ISS also intend to work together on future decarbonization of ports through electrification, as the towboat charging infrastructure lends itself to expansion.

    Artist rendering of the zero emissions, fully electric towboat.

    The design of the fully electric towboats will be based on The Shearer Group, Inc.’s (TSGI) proven hull design for a 95 ft. x 34 ft. towboat. This hull shape was developed by TSGI using advanced fluid dynamic calculations and backup up by vessels in service.  The design has been proven to increase water flow to the propeller and increase overall efficiency of the barge/towboat combination by more than 10 percent over more traditional inland towboat designs. This hull design when coupled with an azipod drive system will improve overall transport efficiency by more than 30 percent when compared to conventional towboats and represents the highest industry standard for efficient and safe operations for inland river towboats. 

    Shift Clean Energy will provide leading edge battery energy storage systems (ESS) to support the fully electric towboat operation. ISS is Shift Clean Energy’s sole channel partner for the United States.

    ISS CEO Wade Stockstill commented: “ISS is honored to have been chosen as the general contractor supporting the build of these world-class towboats and are excited to be at the fore front of the industry through its transition to a more sustainable future.”

    ISS Director of Business Development Jessica Lewis commented: “We are excited to support Zeeboat ™ in its mission to become a significant owner of fully electric vessels for charter.  Together with our industry partners, we have developed these state-of-the-art and technologically advanced towboats and look forward to supporting decarbonization efforts for our inland waterways.”

    Shift Clean Energy CEO Brent Perry commented: “The message the marine industry received in Glasgow at COP26 was clear: this is the time to make change. Shift couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with visionary leaders like ISS and Zeeboat™ who are making electrification happen now and helping the industry get to zero emissions.”

    Joshua Sebastian, Engineering Manager of The Shearer Group says “We at TSGI are excited to participate with this outstanding team in ushering in the new age of towboat and harbor boat operations for the marine industry.”

    Zeeboat™ CEO Jonathan Braun commented: “We look forward to working with ISS and Shift Clean Energy on this important project. The fully electric towboats that Zeeboat™ will make available for charter will be vessels for change, applying commercially proven, leading-edge technologies that are both environmentally friendly and economically advantageous, reducing operating costs as well as carbon emissions.”

    About ISS
    Industrial Service Solutions and its Affiliates are uniquely positioned to offer customized solutions to our customers due to our expertise in manufacturing, service, and project management to support a variety of industries.  We offer a broad set of coordinated service solutions for critical to process equipment.  Our regional service and supply facilities combined with our nationwide field support provide support throughout the entire lifecycle. www.iss-na.com

    About Zeeboat™
    Zeeboat, LLC is an emerging project developer dedicated to furthering the decarbonization of maritime transport. The company is initially focused on building and deploying fully electric towboats. Website: www.zeeboat.com

  • Lithium Ion Battery Cell Manufacturer Kokam Becomes Strategic Partner of Climate Action Leader Shift Clean Energy

    VANCOUVER/SEOUL 15 December 2021: Climate action solution leader Shift Clean Energy, and Kokam, a global provider of innovative lithium-ion battery solutions and a subsidiary of SolarEdge Technologies Inc., are excited to announce a long-term partnership for the marine market. Specifically designed for commercial and industrial applications, Shift’s battery design with Kokam battery cells delivers among the most robust industrial Energy Storage Solutions (ESS) currently available on the market and is a significant factor in helping to drive the transition from diesel to electricity in marine applications. 

    Kokam’s field-proven high-performance battery cells ensure less heat creation and efficient heat dissipation in order to minimize energy loss. At the same time, the cells support vigorous and continuous operations, allowing for a safe, stable and durable battery system that can withstand challenging conditions over time.  

    Shift’s unique cooling system provides maximized benefits to customers looking to electrify propulsion systems in the marine sector. Their ESS provide fire prevention and durability, when tested at temperatures as high as 950° Celsius for over an hour. Shift’s ESS design, coupled with their e-Pod swappable batteries, further demonstrates their commitment to safe operations and of the resilience of their cores for their entire life of service.

    “We are proud to work with Kokam, our partner of choice,” said Brent Perry, CEO, Shift Clean Energy. “Our customers can now be confident that when they are choosing Shift to provide them with a climate action solution using electrification, they are getting the advanced lithium cells from Kokam.”

    “Kokam is delighted to be working with Shift on developing versatile battery solutions for marine applications. We are proud to be a part of Shift’s creative solutions with our innovative cell technologies. We will continue to develop solutions that contribute to decarbonizing marine power sources to further a more sustainable future,” said Ike Hong, CMO of Kokam.

    Shift and Kokam will together help transform the inland waterways, ports and windfarms of the world by offering these different verticals, zero emission solutions over the next few years, well ahead of the goals set out by the IMO (International Marine Organization) of achieving 50% reduction in emissions by 2050. 

    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. Join us on our mission to zero emissions.

    About Kokam

    Kokam is a global market leader in the manufacturing of premium quality lithium-ion battery systems and advanced ESS solutions. Its patented battery cell technology allows Kokam to provide battery solutions for applications and use-cases that require high levels of quality, performance, safety, and reliability. Committed to solving energy storage challenges, Kokam develops customized solutions for the demanding energy storage and UPS applications. Today, Kokam’s state-of-the-art battery solutions are deployed around the world and in a wide variety of industries including, electric vehicles (EV), energy storage systems (ESS), marine and uninterrupted power supply (UPS). Kokam is a subsidiary of SolarEdge Technologies Inc., a NASDAQ traded company and global leader in smart energy. Kokam is online at kokam.com.

  • Shift Clean Energy and Nave De Luz Win Bid to Build New Zero Emission Electric Ferry in Aveiro, Portugal

    Project to be the First Electric Ferryboat in Southern Europe

    VANCOUVER, CANADA; 18 November 2021: Shift Clean Energy and Nave De Luz Lda (NDL) are pleased to announce that they have been selected to supply and install electrical components in the new building of a fully electrical ferry boat. Shift is co-leading a consortium with Portuguese installation specialists NDL to supply and install electrical components on this fully electrified ferry boat for their client, the newbuilding shipyard Navaltagus Reparação e Construção Naval, a member of Grupo ETE, is a recognized and experienced Portuguese group in the maritime and naval industry and design of Vera Navis Naval Architects. The ferry boat will be built and will operate in Aveiro, Portugal.

    Additional members of the consortium include Danfoss Editron, power electronic and Technology Venture Middle East Marine Services LLC, the technology integration consultants and Marine Electricals (I) Pvt. Ltd.

    The International Maritime Organization has a goal for the maritime industry to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) by at least 40 per cent by 2030 and by 50 per cent by 2050. This new fully electric ferry boat is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate how cities can choose zero emission transportation vehicles as part of their climate action initiatives.

    “We are excited to be partnering on this project with Shift Clean Energy and the other consortia members,” said Babis Theodosiou, CEO and Owner of Nave De Luz. “We are also looking forward to seeing the many benefits to the Aveiro region that come from the development of this zero emission ferry boat.”

    “Our consortium of industry experts such as NDL will assist in delivering an impressive new electric ferry boat to Aveiro that will be unparalleled in terms of efficiency and sustainability,” said Shift Clean Energy CEO Brent Perry. “We look forward to completing this project for the region of Aveiro.”

    Not only will the construction of this ferry boat eventually lead to lower GHG emissions in this popular tourist destination, it will provide Aveiro and São Jacinto residents and visitors with a faster method of transit across the Aveiro lagoon, improving the region’s quality of life.

    About Nave De Luz Lda 

    Performing in the ship building market in Portugal since 2006, the multidisciplinary ability and the experience on the field, made the company Nave de Luz, Lda. to become a reference in development, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of electrical and electronics system in ships, both in new buildings, as retrofits.

    More information about NDL is available at www.ndl.pt

  • Shift Clean Energy Participates in UK Government Operation Zero

    Clean Energy Solution Company Provides Critical Support to Zero Emissions Wind Power Project in North Sea

    London, 10 NOVEMBER 2021:  Shift Clean Energy is excited to be part of the UK Government’s bold Operation Zero initiative, announced today by the UK Department for Transport as part of COP26. 

    Shift is partnering with ORE Catapult and providing its innovative PwrSwäp service to a major wind farm project in the North Sea. PwrSwäp will provide energy for critical service and operations vessels, enabling them to shift to zero emissions. Shift president Paul Hughes was in Glasgow for the ministerial announcement of Operation Zero.

    Shift and its PwrSwäp system is also part of several winning projects in the UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.

    PwrSwäp was officially launched in London at the end of October. Shift has already announced significant projects in Rotterdam and Singapore. The practical pay-as-you-go PwrSwäp service gives customers clean energy with more reliability and less risk. Based on Shift’s best-in-class energy storage systems, PwrSwäp creates a seamless system of switching batteries to enable continuous energy flow. The “swap and drop” process is enabled by the unequalled safety standards of Shift’s batteries. Batteries and charging stations are at the core of PwrSwäp, but the system also has the ability to add on new renewable energy sources such as offshore wind. This integrated approach can electrify ports, terminals, inland waterway vessels, industrial sites and even entire isolated communities.

    Under Shift’s innovative service system, customers don’t build or own the batteries or charging stations. Shift owns the assets and sells the energy to subscribers in the PwrSwäp service.  Shift pays for the transition of marine vessels to electrification. The customers pay for the energy they use, and swap batteries when that energy is depleted. This means customers do not have to invest in expensive up-front costs or take on the technology transition risk.

    “Customers save money from day one while meeting their climate action goals,” said Shift CEO Brent Perry. “PwrSwap delivers a ready-made clean energy solution that is faster, better and cheaper. We are changing the game — like Uber or Amazon have. Our ‘Swapping’ system means there is no lag time for PwrSwap customers, such as short sea shipping customers. Our uniquely safe and robust batteries give us the ability to deliver this service. If you are serious about taking action on climate change now and want an approach with the fewest risks to you and your company, Shift has the solution.”  

    Originally founded in 2019, Shift Clean Energy is well-known for its electrification of ferries and similar short sea vessels in Scandinavia. Recently the company has been expanding operations in Europe and Asia, and now has representatives in Canada, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, India, Australia, New Zealand and the UAE, as well as key partnerships in many additional countries.

  • KOTUG and Shift sign MoU to combine Shift’s PwrSwäp with KOTUG’s E-Pusher™ vessel designs

    Zero Emissions shipping solutions are now a real choice for the market

    ROTTERDAM; 5 November 2021: Today KOTUG International B.V. (KOTUG) and Shift Clean Energy (Shift) announced the formation of a partnership to use Shift’s new PwrSwäp clean energy service—which uses swappable batteries on a pay-as-you-go basis—on KOTUG’s E-Pusher™ vessels. This unique combination supports the maritime industry in meeting their environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives by delivering zero emission shipping and logistics services.

    Meeting zero emission goals today

    The signing of the MoU coincides with COP26 in Glasgow, where reducing global greenhouse gases (GHGs) is at the top of the agenda. The combined services support the maritime industry in reaching this goal today, without requiring any upfront capital costs and at competitive rates.

    Swappable batteries: energy when and where you need it

    Shift’s proven technologies provide a ready to market pay-as-you-go service. PwrSwäp uses swappable batteries to deliver energy when and where you need it, delivering 100% uptime, eliminating carbon and minimizing maintenance.

    Modular electric pusher tug

    KOTUG offers a range of modular and scalable electric pusher tugs, the E-Pusher™ Series, powered by swappable energy containers. The innovative design of the E-Pusher™ has a draft that is 30% less than conventional pusher tug designs. Due to the modular design the E-Pusher offers a 50% faster delivery time and allows a range of vessels to suit the needs of any waterway.

    For smart operations, KOTUG will use its advanced dispatching, KOTUG OptiPort route and reporting tool. An automated dispatching system based on historical and real-time information will bridge port and terminal information with ship operations.

    Quotes:

    “The message of COP26 is clear; we have to make changes now, with no time to waste,” said Shift CEO Brent Perry. “Shipping accounts for significant GHG emissions, contributing to climate change, as well as particulates that are unhealthy for communities living near ports and inland waterways. PwrSwäp and E-Pusher bring zero emissions solutions today.” Ard-Jan Kooren, President & CEO of KOTUG International: “Combining our services paves the way for ready to market zero emission solutions. Our modular and scalable E-Pusher™ design is readily available for large scale assembly. We look forward to a fruitful cooperation.”

    Shift Clean Energy ’s PwrSwäp

    Learn more via this movie

    KOTUG E-Pusher™

    Learn more via this video

    About KOTUG
    KOTUG is a leading maritime company, offering its innovative towage and maritime related services on a global scale.  Adding value by sustainability-focused innovations, KOTUG provides the complete portfolio based on a combination of long-standing knowledge and advanced technologies.  From designing, building, chartering and operating vessels to training people and providing innovative consultancy services. The company’s expertise is divided across five pillars: Towage, Training & Consultancy, Intelligence, Subsea and Maritime Excellence.  KOTUG is active in Europe, Russia, Asia, Australia, Africa, Middle East, North and South America and the Caribbean and continues to expand its operations worldwide. KOTUG is family-owned and firmly committed to the highest industry standards of health, safety, environment, quality and security.

    More information about KOTUG is available at: www.kotug.com

    Shift Clean Energy Media Contact: Laura Cropper ǀ Coast Communications and Public Affairs ǀ laura@coastcomms.ca ǀ Mobile: +1 778.323.3827

  • UK and Seven Leading EU Nations’ Citizens Polled Support Marine Electrification as a Climate Action Tool, But Want Stronger Safety Regulations

    UK stands out with highest levels of support for marine electrification and stronger safety regulations

    GLASGOW; 1 November 2021: New polling commissioned by climate action solution provider Shift Clean Energy, demonstrates a remarkably high level of support for marine electrification as a way to fight climate change. Released during COP26 and the three-day Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association (ZESTAs) SHIP ZERO° workshop, the polling also revealed this is coupled with a strong desire for stronger safety regulations that would prevent all battery fires.

    “Electrification in the marine and shipping industries has to happen if we want to meet International Maritime Organization, European Union and other GHG reduction goals,” said Brent Perry, CEO, Shift Clean Energy, and ZESTAs Chair. “People want to see it happen, but do want to ensure regulators put strong rules in place to ensure mariner and public safety.”

    Energy storage systems (ESS) are an increasingly popular way to decrease greenhouse gases (GHGs), both in the marine sector and beyond as companies move to lower or zero emissions operations through electrification versus using diesel or other fuels. Current applications include fully electric or hybrid ferries, offshore wind farm servicing vessels, yachts and harbour servicing vessels, and increasingly, on land electrification of ports, terminals and inland waterway shipping. Shipping and marine industries are responsible for producing three per cent of global GHGs, equal to those produced by the entire country of Germany annually.

    Marine batteries, made from lithium, allow for fast charging and discharging. This is needed when marine vessels need quick speed pickup or have fast turn arounds and limited time for charging, like ferries. However, current standards for battery approval state that individual battery cells can catch fire and still be approved, as long as that fire can’t spread from one cell to another. Given the impact any fires could have on ferries or other vessels, there are risks to this regulatory framework.

    “As a sailor and ship builder myself, safety is my number one priority and I’m proud to say we’ve never had a battery fire and our safety systems are designed so we never will,” said Perry. “No battery should catch fire ever: isn’t this just how it should work? Shift’s batteries meet standards we won’t even see for other 30 years and we post the full, unedited battery test videos.”

    Other polling findings included:

    • There is considerable support for batteries as a tool to fight climate change, averaging 68 per cent, with the highest in UK at 74 per cent;
    • UK, Belgium and France were the most supportive of governments encouraging batteries to fight climate change;
    • Support for battery storage is also very high in the UK (74 per cent); even the country with the lowest support was still very high (the Netherlands at 65 per cent);
    • Under half of those polled said existing regulations were strong enough, and there was universal support for change;
    • Transparency is a priority: an average of 82 per cent of residents polled agreed that reporting on any incident involving marine batteries, including fires, was necessary, with the UK the highest at 90 per cent.

    “With COP26 happening in the UK this week, we were encouraged to see that the UK stood out as highly supportive of battery storage as a tool against climate change; three quarters of those polled wanted to see more marine batteries used, but with improved regulations (87 per cent) and transparency of reporting of issues (90 per cent),” said Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

    Current safety technology exists to prevent ESS fires now and is used by Shift, including:

    • Water cooling systems: immediately dissipate heat in the event of damage to the lithium core, resulting in a small amount of vapour vented outside;
    • More robust batteries in metal containers: surround batteries in metal versus in plastic, which is flammable;
    • More control over production: Shift co-owns the battery manufacturing facility in Germany;
    • Better software: cloud-based management system that remains on whether the battery is being used or not, to alert operators to any concerns.

    Last week, Shift also launched its new PwrSwäp service in London, the centre of the international maritime sector. PwrSwäp is a pay-as-you go subscription service which allows customers to start saving money on day one while electrifying and moving to zero emissions. This service is an excellent solution for on land activities such as ports, terminals, industrial sites and small communities.

    Methodology:

    Research Co. undertook polling of between 501 and 507 citizens in their official languages in eight countries from October 7 to October 13, 2021, totaling 4,024 adult residents of eight European countries. Countries polled were: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The data has been statistically weighted according to national census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20 for each country.

    About Research Co.

    Research Co. is the highest rated Canada-based pollster on FiveThirtyEight and is one of the top five national pollsters on 338Canada. Since 2018, we have issued correct forecasts for 43 electoral processes. Simply put, we are curious about what people think and the decisions they will make. Some call it public opinion, others call it polling or public affairs. We never compromise facts for profit. Our agenda is the truth. We have a global network of partners in the qualitative, data collection and data visualization specialities.

    Research Co. Polling Factum

  • A Seismic Shift in How Industry Gets Clean Energy

    Marine battery experts Sterling PlanB rebrand as Shift and launch global climate change Solution

    London, 25 OCTOBER 2021: A new corporate name heralds the start of expanded business goals for marine electrification pioneer Brent Perry and his team, and the announcement of a ground-breaking new clean energy service.

    Now called Shift, the company formerly known as Sterling PlanB Energy Solutions (SPBES) held a news conference in London to announce the expansion of its markets beyond marine industries and to launch a one-of-a-kind, new pay-as-you-go energy supply service called PwrSwäp.

    “We’re building a new business model to help customers shift to a cleaner world through electrification,” said Shift CEO Brent Perry at the announcement. “Shift – and our leading-edge PwrSwäp system – is ready to help industry, corporations, small communities and other institutions to use clean energy for their operations and achieve climate action goals, while also saving them money on day one.”

    The announcement comes as the marine industry and others come under considerable pressure to move away from diesel fuel and achieve ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, including the International Maritime Organization goal to reduce GHGs by at least 40 per cent by 2030 and by 50 per cent by 2050.

    PwrSwäp is a cost-effective way for any customer to electrify their site, be it maritime or on land. Its practical, pay-as-you-go service gives customers a clean energy solution with more reliability and less risk. Based on Shift’s best-in-class energy storage systems (ESS), PwrSwäp provides customers with fully charged ePod battery cartridges and all related components which are connected through cloud-based service and management centres. The swappable batteries are sized per trip instead of a permanent 10-year system, greatly reducing size and weight and cost, some of the biggest barriers to ESS use.

    This “swapping” process is enabled by the unequalled safety features of Shift’s batteries, built for the most challenging environments on earth. Batteries and charging stations are at the core of PwrSwäp, but Shift can also integrate new renewable energy sources like offshore wind and solar. This integrated approach can electrify ports, terminals, inland waterways, industrial sites and even entire isolated communities.

    What is unique with Shift’s approach, and a new innovation in the maritime sector, is that customers don’t have to own the batteries, deal with maintenance, build the charging stations, or even the renewable power production facility. Shift owns the assets and simply sells the energy to subscribers in the PwrSwäp service. Shift finances the transition of marine vessels to electrification. The customers pay for the energy they use, and swap batteries when that energy is depleted for a fresh battery. This means customers do not have to invest in expensive up-front capital costs or take on the technology transition risk. If new technology emerges over time, Shift integrates that into the solution, with no new capital cost to the customer.

    “Customers save money from day one while meeting their climate action goals,” said Perry. “PwrSwäp delivers a ready-made clean energy solution that is faster, better and cheaper. We are changing the game – like Uber or Amazon have. Our ‘swapping’ system means there is no lag time for PwrSwäp customers, such as short sea shipping customers. Our uniquely safe and robust batteries give us the ability to deliver this service. If you are serious about taking action on climate change now and want an approach with the fewest risks to you and your company, Shift has the solution.”

    Created in 2019, the Canadian company is well-known for its electrification of ferries, workboats and similar short sea vessels in Scandinavia. Recently the company has been expanding operations in Europe and Asia, and now has representatives in Canada, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Japan, USA, India, Australia, New Zealand and the UAE, as well as key partnerships in many additional countries.

    In October of this year, Malaysia-based energy firm Yinson Holdings Berhad provided significant funding to Shift through its green technology division. The two companies also signed a Memorandum of Understanding which stated the two companies intend to form a joint venture collaboration to accelerate the large-scale rollout of PwrSwäp and other Shift solutions globally.

    “As climate leaders and ESS experts, Brent Perry and his team at Shift are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the marine decarbonisation initiatives currently being rolled out globally,” said Yinson Executive Vice President New Ventures and Technology, Eirik Barclay. “Yinson is excited to support the expansion of marine electric mobility and looking forward to working with Shift to roll out ESS and PwrSwäp solutions in the South-East Asian market.”

    Shift is currently providing its battery and charging station system for an important electric hydrofoil pilot project at the Port of Singapore in partnership with Yinson and others.

    The company’s new brand and logo were created by renowned designer David Carson, called “the art director of the era” by some observers. The Shift wordmark features a clean contemporary font and conveys the company’s marine roots and green-driven mission. The plus symbol embedded in the wordmark references CEO Brent Perry’s founding role in the marine battery industry. More information about Carson Design is available at davidcarsondesign.com.

    Shift PwrSwäp Backgrounder

    Shift Climate Action Backgrounder

    For all media enquiries:


    Carolyn Jack
    Coast Communications and Public Affairs
    E: carolyn@coastcomms.ca
    M: 001-604-970-3234