Hydromover 2.0 launches in Singapore, eyes UAE rollout

The electric cargo vessel offers longer range and larger payload.

Hydromover 2.0, an all-electric cargo transfer vessel designed by Incat Crowther Pty Ltd., has begun commercial operations in Singapore, marking a step towards replacing diesel harbour craft in port logistics.

The vessel, commissioned for marinEV, a unit of Yinson GreenTech Pte Ltd, is designed to move cargo between ships and port terminals using battery power rather than conventional fuel. Operators are watching its performance as ports explore electrification to cut emissions and operating costs.

Deployment is also planned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A bareboat charter agreement with Yacht International Company LLC is scheduled for delivery by mid-2026.

A memorandum of understanding between Yinson GreenTech, Yacht International UAE and Wilhelmsen Port Services will support the introduction of electric harbour vessels in UAE ports.

Hydromover 2.0 replaces the earlier Hydromover 1.0 prototype and expands both range and cargo capacity. The vessel is 24 metres long, roughly 25% longer than the previous model, and is designed for daily harbour operations.

Sam Mackay, technical manager at Incat Crowther, said the vessel could reach full charge in about 1.5 hours, allowing repeated trips within a working day.

Its range has increased by more than three times to about 130 nautical miles (241 kilometres) per charge, whilst payload capacity has risen by 50% to 30 tonnes. Cargo deck space has expanded by 75% to 70 square metres.

The vessel can carry 12 passengers and four crew members. Fresh-water capacity reaches about 3,000 litres, whilst sullage capacity is about 250 litres.

Propulsion is delivered by two 206-kilowatt electric motors driving azimuth thrusters. The system provides a service speed of about 10 knots (19km/hour) and a maximum speed of 14 knots (26km/hour)

Energy comes from a 914-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery system housed in A60-rated battery rooms, which can contain fire for at least 60 minutes, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the vessel.

The installation uses liquid cooling, fire-suppression features and redundancy safeguards, and operates on a 1,000-volt direct-current architecture.

Steering performance has also improved compared with the earlier prototype.

“Steering response has improved 200%, from 6 degrees per second to 18 degrees per second, which is critical for precision handling in congested port waters,” Mackay said in an emailed reply to questions.

Engineers refined the hull design using lessons from more than 20 electric vessels previously delivered by the company. Adjustments to waterline length and transom geometry reduce hydrodynamic resistance, lowering energy use whilst extending operating range.

The vessel also integrates digital monitoring tools including real-time analytics, route optimisation and collision detection, allowing operators to track performance across multiple harbour trips.

Developers said future versions would continue to refine hull efficiency and incorporate advances in battery systems as ports expand the use of electric cargo vessels.