SOLUTION / PUBLIC SOURCE RECORD
SEAM electric and hybrid propulsion systems for marine vessels
- Published 6 July 2022; updated 30 September 2026; estimated reading time 2 minutes. Listed under Maritime, Battery and Energy.
- SEAM designs vessel-specific electric and hybrid propulsion systems, assessing an existing engine configuration or a new build and installing batteries with an electronic control centre. Batteries may run independently or alongside diesel engines, supplying power at lower demand and adding backup during engine downtime. Its e-SEAMatic® automation platform and e-SEAMatic® BLUE brand support the systems.
- In hybrid operation, batteries can smooth engine loads (“peak shaving”), which the page says reduces machinery strain and maintenance. Batteries can also provide reserve power for dynamic-positioning vessels, reducing the need to run standby engines. The article says SEAM hybrid installations can let diesel engines operate up to 20% more efficiently and reduce fuel use, operating costs and greenhouse-gas emissions; these are presented as company claims.
- The page identifies diesel propulsion emissions and engine thermal efficiency as low as 50% as context for electrification. It says SEAM delivered a battery-hybrid system to the offshore vessel Viking Energy in 2016 and reports a 30% reduction in consumption and emissions in dynamic-positioning mode after two years. This is a historical, vessel-specific result cited by SEAM.
- Market context includes a Norwegian requirement for coastal ferries to be electrified by 2030. SEAM was known as Westcon Power & Automation until 2021; Westcon was founded in 1988 and began developing energy-storage solutions in 2013. The article links a related hydrogen-fast-ferry project.
- Linked to SDGs 3 (Good health and well-being) and 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure).
- Contact: Stian Risdal, Sales Director, stian.risdal@seam.no. Company: SEAM AS, Husøyvegen 31, 4262 Avaldsnes, Norway; seam.no. A phone-number reveal control is present.