Swedish company to provide battery system for Canada’s new hybrid icebreaker

Swedish supplier of advanced maritime battery systems Echandia has secured an order to supply a 3.7 MWh battery system for a new hybrid icebreaker vessel for the Canadian Coast Guard.

The order was awarded by ABB, a global technology company specializing in electrification and automation. The selection was based on the performance of Echandia’s LTO-based (lithium-titanate oxide) battery system for vessels operating in extreme environments with limited space.

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.

Delivery of the battery system is scheduled for second half of 2026, with the vessel expected to enter service by 2028.

The contract marks Echandia’s first entry into the Canadian market and strengthens the company’s global footprint in sustainable maritime propulsion, it was noted.

“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,” said Torbjörn Bäck, CEO of Echandia.

Last year, Echandia won orders for two new frigates, marking a significant follow-up to its first naval order in 2022, which included four frigates for a European NATO member country. Other details were not disclosed.