Yinson and Langkawi Port Plan Fully Electric Ferry Service in Malaysia

Yinson GreenTech, through its marine electrification business marinEV, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Langkawi Port Sdn Bhd to develop a fully electric passenger ferry service connecting Kuah in Langkawi with Kuala Perlis on mainland Malaysia.

Announced on 1 October, the agreement establishes a framework for the proposed Langkawi Electric Ferry Project, which Yinson says would be Malaysia’s first planned commercial, open-sea, point-to-point passenger ferry service powered entirely by electricity.

Electric ferries and charging infrastructure

Under the proposed arrangement, Yinson GreenTech will provide purpose-built electric ferries on a charter basis, while Langkawi Port will operate the service.

Tenaga Nasional Berhad will be responsible for developing the electricity supply and charging infrastructure required to support the ferry operation.

The project brings together vessel supply, ferry operations and shoreside charging infrastructure as the partners work towards commercial deployment on the Langkawi–mainland route.

Hydroferry platform to power passenger service

The proposed ferries will use marinEV’s Hydroferry platform, which combines electric propulsion, onboard energy storage and digital systems. The vessels are also expected to incorporate autonomous and remote-operation capabilities developed by Zeabuz.

The project partners will engage with government agencies and other stakeholders to address the technical, regulatory, operational and commercial requirements for the proposed service.

The electric ferry connection is intended to supplement existing passenger transport links between Langkawi and mainland Malaysia.

Yinson expands marine electrification into passenger transport

The project builds on marinEV’s existing portfolio of electric marine platforms, including the Hydromover electric cargo vessel and Hydroglyder crew-transfer vessel.

The Hydromover has already entered commercial operations in Singapore, providing marinEV with operational experience in electric maritime transport.

Jan-Viggo Johansen, Managing Director of marinEV, said the partnership would build on that experience in Malaysia, with the project focused on developing a practical and scalable electric ferry service for commercial passenger operations.