Powering the Future: How Battery Technology is Reshaping Maritime Engineering

As battery technology transforms the maritime sector, marine engineers must adapt to new skills in energy management, electric propulsion, and advanced diagnostics. This shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity — reshaping careers and redefining the future of ship engineering. Andrew Draper reports

The maritime industry is undergoing a transformative shift as battery technology gains momentum across various vessel types. From ferries to cargo ships, an increasing number of operators are embracing electric propulsion, driven by advancements in battery efficiency and energy storage capacity. This growing adoption is not just a technological leap – it is a response to stricter environmental regulations and a global push for sustainability.

As battery capabilities improve, ships can travel farther and operate more efficiently, reducing emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. With regulatory support and continued innovation, maritime batteries are set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of cleaner, greener shipping.

The growth in battery-electric vessels is also fuelling demand for specialist maritime labour skills, according to Norway-based industry body Maritime Battery Forum (MBF).

'The jobs on board these ships will change,' MBF managing director Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker says. 'We need more people with knowledge of electric systems, both electrical engineers but also people that have an automation background. Because it's not just the electrical system, it's the control systems that you need to understand and how those work.'

On the upside, engineers will get less dirty from working with this kind of system, Mr Hoedemaker says. 'They're less noisy, so it's more comfortable for sure.'