Marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy says it is playing a major role in Grimaldi Group’s delivery of a new generation of vessels looking to define modern shipping.
AYK has secured a deal to supply its 2073kWh OrionAN batteries to nine ro-pax vessels being constructed for the group as part of its fleet renewal programme. The vessels are being built at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) and will be delivered in 2028-2030.
Six of the ships will be deployed in the Mediterranean under the Grimaldi Lines and Minoan Lines brands, while three will be operated by Finnlines in the Baltic. The ro-pax vessels have been designed to elevate the quality of maritime transport for both rolling cargo and passengers in the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea. They will feature multi-fuel engines capable of running on methanol along with a suite of green technologies, including modern hull and high-efficiency propeller design, shore power connectivity, and waste heat recovery systems.
The high-performance OrionAN marine batteries being provided by AYK will play a role in enhancing its new vessels’ energy efficiency and environmental performance. They are part of AYK’s latest range, which received DNV type approval in 2025, reinforcing their compliance with maritime safety and performance standards.
AYK Energy founder Chris Kruger said: “With high profile deals with major players in the maritime world like Grimaldi AYK continues to demonstrate how battery technology is evolving and becoming more powerful, more advanced and more competitive. AYK’s battery solutions help shipping operators like Grimaldi improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and accelerate the transition toward more sustainable maritime transport. We all want to see fewer emissions and green shipping. But batteries will only be part of the decarbonisation agenda if ship owners see the return on investment. There has to be a compelling business case. And that’s what the range of batteries that AYK can now offer is all about – the mass adoption of batteries that can pay for themselves within a matter of years.”
Image: Grimaldi Group’s latest ro-pax design (credit: Grimaldi)
