Marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy has completed the largest battery retrofit to date on the hybrid-electric Ro-Pax ferry Aurora Botnia.
Operated by Finnish shipping line Wasaline, the vessel underwent the upgrade at the Turku Repair Yard in Finland and has now resumed its year-round service on the green corridor route between Vaasa, Finland, and Umea, Sweden.
The retrofit involved installing the new AYK Pisces+ battery system, which adds 10.4 MWh of power nearly five times the capacity of the vessel’s previous 2.2 MWh setup.
AYK founder Chris Kruger noted that the project was delivered on time and on budget, highlighting the rapid advancement of marine battery technology. “Marine battery technology is improving fast, with higher energy density, safety, and cost savings,” Kruger said. “Hybrid ships have a strong future, and battery systems can pay for themselves within a few years through fuel savings.”
Managing Director Peter Stahlberg emphasized the strategic importance of the upgrade: “The Vaasa-Umea route is Europe’s first international green shipping corridor. Expanding battery capacity with AYK Energy helps make our vessel even more sustainable.”