AYK Energy has completed a major battery renewal project for four Svitzer hybrid tugs operating at Chevron Australia’s Gorgon LNG terminal on Barrow Island.
Founder Chris Kruger, who managed the tugs’ original battery installations in 2012, said the programme involved recycling the old units and fitting new AYK Aires LFP battery systems on the Svitzer Euro, Perentie, Boodie and Dugong. Each tug now carries 1.3 MWh of storage, totalling more than 5 MWh, with full charging taking up to 1.5 hours.
Kruger said the new batteries deliver twice the energy density of the originals while offering improved safety, lower cost, easier installation and longer running periods. The systems were built at AYK’s 5,000-sqm automated plant in Zhuhai, opened in 2023.
AYK is seeing growing demand for its LFP systems across tugs, OSVs, workboats, superyachts and large vessels, with sales projected to hit 100 MWh in 2025. The firm is seeking investors to support expansion plans in the US and Europe.
