Aquaculture vessel to be powered by a Caterpillar hybrid solution

Caterpillar Marine has entered into an agreement with California-based Pacific6 Enterprises to supply a parallel battery hybrid propulsion system for a new aquaculture farming vessel. The ship was designed by Oceantec Ltd., a New Zealand based naval architecture firm and will be constructed at U.S. yard Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland. It is set to be used for a fish-farming project of Pacific6 Enterprises off California.

Powered by a Cat® C18 engine and battery hybrid solution, this next-generation hybrid boat will leverage proven electrical components and power electronics from Caterpillar. It will be equipped with 961 kWh of battery capacity to enable zero exhaust emissions while operating solely on battery power in both farming operations as well as port departure and entry.

Derrick York, Managing Director of Caterpillar Marine stated, “We are proud to have been selected by Pacific6 Enterprises to work together on this exciting project. We feel that this aquaculture vessel is a great example of our capabilities in collaborating with customers to deliver sustainable solutions and for demonstrating our next generation of integrated hybrid architecture.”