Echandia, the leading Swedish supplier of advanced maritime battery systems, has secured an order from ABB to supply a 3.7 MWh 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 strengthens the company’s global footprint in sustainable maritime propulsion. Delivery of the battery system is scheduled for second half of 2026, with the vessel expected to enter service by 2028.
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.
“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,” says Torbjörn Bäck, CEO of Echandia.
The order was awarded by ABB, a global technology leader in electrification and automation. The selection was based on the proven performance of Echandia’s LTO-based (lithium-titanate oxide) battery system for vessels operating in extreme environments with limited space.
“Echandia offered a competitive solution based on lifetime, reliability, and safety, so in the end, it was an easy choice for us,” says Samuli Hänninen, Global Segment Manager, Icebreaking ships at ABB’s Marine & Ports division.
With this order, Echandia further solidifies its position as a key player in the decarbonization of the global maritime industry with battery systems ordered and delivered to almost 100 vessels, including passenger ferries, RoPax, offshore support vessels, tugboats, platforms, and naval ships.
(Photo of Echandia battery system)