Cutting emissions in ecologically sensitive environments, a newly-commissioned hybrid icebreaker will use LTO-based battery technology to deliver sustainable maritime propulsion in demanding Arctic conditions.
Echandia, the leading Swedish supplier of advanced maritime battery systems, has secured an order from ABB to supply a 3.7MWh battery system for a new hybrid icebreaker vessel for the Canadian Coast Guard.
To be built at Helsinki Shipyard, the icebreaker will operate as a hybrid ship, combining conventional propulsion with advanced battery technology to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.
The order is a win-win for both the company and cleantech, says Torbjörn Bäck, CEO of Echandia:
“This contract is a milestone for Echandia. It not only opens the door to a new and strategically important market, but also underscores the trust placed in our technology by industry leaders like ABB and the Canadian Coast Guard.”
Performance in extreme conditions
The order was awarded by ABB, a global technology leader in electrification and automation. The selection was based on the proven performance of Echandia’s LTO-based (lithium-titanate oxide) battery system for vessels operating in extreme environments with limited space.
When it came to taking the hybrid route, the sustainable business case works on every level, explains Samuli Hänninen, Global Segment Manager, Icebreaking Ships, at ABB Marine & Ports:
“Echandia offered a competitive solution based on lifetime, reliability, and safety — so in the end, it was an easy choice.”
Delivery of the battery system is scheduled for second half 2026, with the vessel set to enter service by 2028.
Sustainable and safe
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Sweden, Echandia is helping challenge and change the maritime industry with safer electrification. It provides sustainable solutions for a global market in transition.
This latest order further solidifies the company’s position as a key player in the decarbonisation of the global maritime industry with battery systems ordered and delivered to almost 100 vessels, including passenger ferries, RoPax (roll-on/roll-off passenger), tugboats, platforms, offshore support and naval ships.
Further Reading:
- More about Echandia; and its heavy-duty but size-efficient LTO batteries;
- More about ABB global; and its specialist Marine and Ports division;
- More about the Canadian Coast Guard, operating within the Department of National Defence;
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