Wasaline and AYK Energy Partner for Largest Battery Retrofit on Vessel
Finnish ship owner Wasaline has announced a groundbreaking partnership with marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy to undertake the largest battery retrofit ever carried out on a vessel. The vessel in question, Aurora Botnia, built in 2021, is set to receive a new battery system that is nearly five times more powerful than its current system, with expectations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 25%.
The hybrid ROPAX Ferry Aurora Botnia, constructed at Rauma Marine Constructions, already boasted high efficiency with its dual-fuel engines and existing battery setup. The vessel operates on LNG, biogas, and batteries for propulsion on its daily route between Vaasa, Finland, and Umeå, Sweden.
Peter Ståhlberg, Managing Director of Wasaline, emphasized the growing demand for eco-friendly transportation and the company’s commitment to sustainability. “Expanding our battery capacity is a major step towards making our vessel even more sustainable and increasing our focus on batteries and biogas,” Ståhlberg stated.
AYK Energy will manufacture the new battery system at its facility in China, aiming for installation on Aurora Botnia later this year. The retrofit project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025 at the Turku Repair Yard in Finland, with the vessel expected to return to service in January 2026.
The upgraded battery system will significantly enhance the vessel’s capabilities, increasing its capacity from 2.2 MWh to 10.4 MWh. This enhancement is projected to reduce fossil energy consumption by approximately 10,000 MWh annually, marking a significant step towards sustainable maritime operations.
Chris Kruger, Founder and President of AYK Energy, expressed pride in the partnership with Wasaline and the development of an advanced battery solution. “Our battery systems prioritize safety and efficiency, utilizing LFP chemistry to ensure superior performance and energy density,” Kruger explained.
Notably, this project marks the largest battery retrofit on a vessel to date, surpassing previous industry milestones. AYK Energy has witnessed a surge in demand for its advanced battery systems across various maritime sectors, including tugs, OSVs, superyachts, fishing vessels, workboats, and large container ships.
In addition to the Aurora Botnia project, AYK Energy recently supplied two 12 MWh Orion+ batteries for Brittany Ferries’ hybrid electric vessels, further solidifying its position as a leader in marine battery technology.
The collaboration between Wasaline and AYK Energy represents a significant advancement in sustainable maritime practices, setting a new benchmark for eco-friendly vessel operations and driving the industry towards a greener future.