Wilhelmsen Ships Service Joins the Maritime Battery Forum to Accelerate Maritime Electrification

The Maritime Battery Forum (MBF) has announced the addition of Wilhelmsen Ships Service to its international network, marking a significant step forward in the global transition toward clean and electrified maritime operations.

Wilhelmsen Ships Service, part of the wider Wilhelmsen group, is known for its extensive presence in the maritime sector, supporting vessels across more than 2,200 ports worldwide. The company brings to the Forum decades of operational knowledge and a strong emphasis on sustainable maritime innovation.

Expanding Global Commitment to Maritime Electrification

The company’s involvement in maritime battery initiatives has grown steadily in recent years. In 2023, Wilhelmsen partnered with Yinson GreenTech to develop and trial Hydromover, Singapore’s first fully electric cargo vessel. This was followed in 2024 by its entry into the Coastal Sustainability Alliance, a collaborative effort focused on accelerating clean energy adoption in regional maritime logistics.

In 2025, the company inaugurated an electric vessel charging station at its Pandan Loop facility in Singapore. Designed to support new-generation electric vessels such as Hydromover 2.0 and Hydroglyder, the station demonstrates Wilhelmsen’s commitment to enhancing the necessary infrastructure for maritime electrification. The same year, Wilhelmsen Port Services signed a memorandum of understanding with Yinson GreenTech and R W Marine Services to support the integration of electric vessels within Singapore’s port system, aligning with national decarbonisation goals.

Wilhelmsen’s efforts extend well beyond Asia. In 2017, the group acquired a majority stake in NorSea Group AS, laying the foundation for shore power infrastructure in Northern Europe. The following year, Wilhelmsen and Kongsberg Maritime launched Massterly, the world’s first company dedicated to the operation of autonomous, remotely controlled vessels that integrate battery technology.

Supporting Practical Battery Applications

Wilhelmsen Ships Service is currently engaged in several initiatives aimed at supporting the practical use of maritime batteries. These include the development of specialized chemical treatments for battery-powered systems and the deployment of advanced sensors and analytics tools to monitor battery performance.

In addition, the company is working to provide lifecycle support for battery systems, offering advisory services, technical assistance and end-of-life management solutions to improve the efficiency and safety of battery-powered vessel operations.

Collaborating to Scale Industry-Wide Solutions

Wilhelmsen’s membership in the Maritime Battery Forum is driven by a desire to collaborate with other stakeholders, share operational insights and stay informed on emerging technologies and regulatory developments. Through its participation, the company aims to help shape safety standards, support infrastructure rollouts and contribute to real-world solutions for battery integration across the global fleet.

A spokesperson for Wilhelmsen Ships Service stated that joining the Forum underscores the company’s focus on enabling energy-efficient maritime operations. The company looks forward to contributing its global experience in vessel operations, retrofitting, and infrastructure development to support the broader industry transition. MBF welcomed Wilhelmsen’s entry, emphasizing the value of its operational expertise and global reach in advancing the Forum’s mission to support large-scale deployment of maritime battery solutions.