ABCO Industries

ABCO and partners bring a new era of maritime sustainability with emission-free, grid-supporting vessel

It’s official: ABCO has sailed to the forefront of electric shipbuilding innovation. The company recently unveiled its high-power electric workboat, the first in the world to make vessel-to-grid electricity transfer possible. It’s a big step forward for the maritime sector’s transition to electrification, a move that will lower emissions and help combat climate change.

Demonstrated in the Halifax Harbour during COVE Demo Day in June, the vessel was created in partnership with BlueGrid and Evoy. What used to be a diesel engine vessel is now 100% electric and emission-free. Its battery can charge to 80 per cent in about 1.5 hours but what makes it truly unique is the two-way power transfer capability between its battery and the electrical grid. This allows the boat to support the grid in times of peak demand by storing electricity, and later transferring that energy back to the grid to be used. Energy storage is a new revenue stream for vessel owners. They can potentially make money while docked, lowering the cost of owning an electric vessel, and making emissions-free boat ownership more attainable.

“Industry-leading bi-directional capability empowers electric vessels to be economical energy storage resources,” says Dr. Colin Ross, Research and Development Program Coordinator at ABCO.

The electric boat also goes fast. At 38 knots per hour, it is one of the fastest electric boats in the world.

Where Innovation is Tradition

Doing things differently is a long-standing tradition at ABCO. Founded in 1947 in Lunenburg, the Atlantic Bridge Company started outbuilding fish processing equipment, helping the region return to regular business after World War II. In the 1950s, ABCO pioneered the use of aluminum and stainless steel in food processing equipment. Next, the company experimented with fiberglass-reinforced plastics, and it wasn’t long before Eastern Canada’s first fiberglass fishing boat was built.

Colin says that 77 years later, ABCO’s pioneering spirit is alive and well. “There’s been a lot of change and growth at ABCO over the last ten years. There’s been more of a focus on becoming an innovation-driven enterprise.”

Small rural company leads maritime decarbonization efforts

The shift toward a greener economy led ABCO to big developments in the world of marine electrification and hybrid propulsion. “This is the future of the marine industry,” says Colin. “Electrification is going to play a critical role in the shift away from fossil fuels.” Colin also says the company has always been conscious of its environmental footprint, “both in our manufacturing processes and the products we bring to market.”

What’s next? ABCO is engaging various government organizations and commercial entities to showcase how the electric boat and the vessel-to-grid technology can be a sustainable, cost-effective option in various applications. “Today, there’s a relatively limited number of vessels that can use electric propulsion systems, but we are working very closely with companies to understand what role electric vessels can play in the industry. The company continues to innovate and secure its role in leading maritime decarbonization efforts.”