New CSOV Will Feature Hybrid Battery Power in 2028
Marco Polo Marine will launch a hybrid-powered vessel featuring a 1 MWh battery system in Q2 2028.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Energy
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Marco Polo Marine has announced the integration of an EST-Floattech Octopus High Energy battery system into a new construction service operation vessel (CSOV) arriving in Q2 2028. The system, capable of supporting future upgrades to 20 MWh, will be utilized by PKR Offshore to assist with offshore energy deployment in Taiwan.
Why it matters
This installation addresses the power stability needs of dynamic positioning systems in offshore environments, allowing vessels to optimize generator usage. By incorporating high-capacity battery storage, operators can reduce engine runtimes while maintaining the precise maneuverability required for offshore work.
The Octopus High Energy system provides an initial capacity of 1 MWh to serve as spinning reserve and absorb electrical load spikes. This modular architecture is designed to scale up to 20 MWh, providing a pathway for increased power density in future operations.
The players
Marco Polo Marine
A Singapore-based shipping group that operates a fleet of offshore support vessels and tugboats and maintains shipyard facilities in Indonesia.
EST-Floattech
A Dutch manufacturer specializing in maritime battery systems designed for hybrid and fully electric propulsion in commercial shipping.
Siemens Energy
A global energy firm providing power plant integration, electrical grid solutions, and industrial gas turbine technologies.
PKR Offshore
A maritime operator tasked with managing the vessel operations, particularly focusing on offshore energy support services in Taiwan.
The details
The battery system acts as a buffer for the vessel’s hybrid power plant, managing transient load variations during dynamic positioning — the use of thrusters to maintain a vessel's position and heading without anchors. By handling these fluctuating electrical demands, the batteries allow the ship’s primary generators to operate more efficiently. The vessel also features a 100-tonne active heave-compensated crane, which uses hydraulic or electric systems to stabilize loads against wave-induced motion.
Timeline
Construction of the vessel began in Batam, Indonesia, in Q2 2026.
The vessel is scheduled for delivery in Q2 2028.
The Tech Race
The transition to hybrid power for CSOVs is part of a broader industry shift toward decarbonizing offshore energy service logistics. This installation follows the pattern established by the DNV hybrid power standard, which seeks to improve vessel fuel efficiency during energy-intensive dynamic positioning operations.
Once operational in 2028, this vessel will provide more stable, automated support for offshore energy infrastructure in Taiwanese waters. Industry stakeholders and maritime operators can monitor the delivery window in Q2 2028 to assess the performance of the 1 MWh battery integration.
The takeaway
Hybrid battery integration is becoming the standard for modern offshore support, shifting focus from pure engine power to load-managed efficiency. Watch for the vessel's performance benchmarks following its Q2 2028 delivery to see if the modular capacity design delivers expected load stabilization.
Further reading
For more on the evolution of maritime power, explore the Energy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Windtech-international.
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