Swedish maritime battery system supplier Echandia 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 contract marks Echandia’s first entry into the Canadian market and is thought to strengthen the company’s global footprint in sustainable maritime propulsion. The icebreaker will operate as a hybrid ship, combining conventional propulsion with advanced battery technology to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency in demanding Arctic conditions.
Torbjörn Bäck, Echandia CEO, said: “This contract is a significant 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.”
The order was awarded by ABB, based on the performance of Echandia’s LTO-based (lithium-titanate oxide) battery system for vessels operating in extreme environments with limited space.
Samuli Hänninen, Global Segment Manager, Icebreaking ships, ABB Marine & Ports, said: “Echandia offered a competitive solution based on lifetime, reliability, and safety, so in the end, it was an easy choice for us.”
Delivery of the battery system is scheduled for second half of 2026, with the vessel expected to enter service by 2028. With this order, Echandia says it further solidifies its position as a player in the decarbonisation of the global maritime industry with battery systems ordered and delivered to almost 100 vessels, including passenger ferries, ro-pax, offshore support vessels, tugboats, platforms, and naval ships.
Image: Echandia battery system (source: Echandia)
