AYK Energy’s Aries+S system picked for world’s first battery-hybrid self-unloader

Image: CSL

The world’s first battery-hybrid self-unloader, recently named M/V Nampu in a ceremony at China’s Jiangjiang Nanyang Shipyard, features an AYK Energy Aries+S battery system, with a capacity of 6,758 kWh.

As we reported earlier, the 11,000 dwt self-unloading limestone carrier was ordered by Canada’s CSL Group, which will operate the vessel under a 20-year with Australia’s Adelaide Brighton Cement Ltd. (Adbri), supporting Adbri’s limestone operations in South Australia with a focus on enhanced efficiency and environmental responsibility.

The AYK Energy Aries+S battery system has been specified by propulsion system provider Wärtsilä. Approximately 50% of the vessel’s energy requirements will be provided by a combination of shore power and battery energy storage, with the design providing a pathway to 100% electric operations in future.

“Collaboration with Wärtsilä was central to this project’s success and we’d like to thank them and CSL for trusting AYK to provide the battery system,” said Chris Kruger, founder and president of AYK Energy. “We are very proud to work on this groundbreaking bulk cargo vessel design and provide a battery with the highest standards of safety, quality and performance. We have listened to industry and developed our range to deliver both higher energy density which is ideal for ferries, workboats and tugs. And at the same time we’re innovating systems that strike a balance between power and energy density which works better for hybrid applications. AYK is now offering the widest range of system choices in the maritime industry.”