Posted on July 1, 2026
Rapidly expanding battery manufacturer AYK Energy is playing a major role in shipping giant Grimaldi Group’s delivery of a new generation of vessels looking to define modern shipping.
AYK has secured a deal to supply its 2,073 kWh OrionAN marine battery systems to each of the nine next-generation RoPax vessels, for a total battery capacity of 18,657 kWh across the fleet.
With experience dating back to 1947, the Grimaldi Group, based in Naples, is a multinational logistics company specialised in the operation of ro-ro ships, car carriers and ferries. It is playing a leading role in the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
The vessels it has commissioned 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 Sea. Key features include reduced environmental impact.
The state-of-the-art RoPax 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 Grimaldi Group’s renewal programme positions it at the heart of maritime environmental and operational innovation.
The high-performance OrionAN marine batteries being provided by AYK will play a major role in enhancing its new vessels’ energy efficiency and environmental performance.
They are part of AYK’s latest range, which received DNV type approval last year, reinforcing their compliance with stringent maritime safety and performance standards.
AYK Energy founder Chris Kruger has described that approval as a game changer, making marine battery technology more affordable and driving adoption.
He says the order by the Grimaldi Group highlights the growing demand for its battery solutions and the role they can play in the journey to more sustainability in the marine transport sector.
He 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 decarbonization 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.”
