Intelligent maritime monitoring solutions provider Hefring Marine and Ecomar Propulsion, specialists in electric drives and energy management systems, have announced a strategic product development partnership which will focus on improving safety and operational efficiency in the maritime sector.
Under the agreement, Hefring Marine will install its IMAS system aboard Ecomar’s hydrogen battery vessel, the Dirac. This marks the first deployment of Hefring’s advanced monitoring technology on an electric vessel, aligning both companies with the industry’s transition toward sustainable propulsion.
Karl Birgir Björnsson, CEO Hefring Marine, said: “We are excited to partner with Ecomar Propulsion on this project. Electric and hydrogen-powered vessels represent the future of maritime operations, and ensuring their crews have access to real-time environmental and motion data is essential for safe and efficient operations. The Dirac provides an ideal platform to demonstrate how our technology can enhance comfort and safety in this new generation of sustainable workboats.”
Dirac is a hydrogen battery vessel owned by Ecomar, specifically designed to test new developments in propulsion, energy management, and ship controls. Hefring’s IMAS will provide live monitoring of sea conditions, vessel motion, and operational parameters for the benefit of crew safety and enhanced decision-making by ship managers.
Eugene Bari, CEO Ecomar Propulsion, added: “We are the experts in electric drives and energy management, and the IMAS system complements our core activities. We are delighted to be able to showcase this new technology using our vessel and believe this partnership will deliver valuable insights for the entire industry as we pioneer the next generation of electric maritime operations.”
The partnership is said to underscore both companies’ commitment to innovation and sustainability in the maritime sector, combining Ecomar’s experience in electric propulsion with Hefring’s track record in intelligent monitoring solutions.
Image: The ‘Dirac’ will be the first application of Hefring IMAS on an electric vessel (credit: Ecomar Propulsion)
