Executive Client Solutions Manager

LR strengthens partnership with Echo Marine Group to deliver Western Australia's first electric ferry fleet. Artistic impression of the new battery-electric ferries for operation on Perth's Swan River. The project marks a major step forward for sustainable public transport in Australia and sets a new standard for low emission ferry design and construction. Lloyd's Register (LR) has signed a new contract with long-standing partner Echo Marine Group to support the delivery of Western Australia's first fully electric passenger ferries - marking a major milestone for sustainable public transport in Australia. The project, which is a part of the Perth Transport Authority's (PTA) METRONET Swan River Ferry Service Expansion programme, will see the design and construction of five new battery-electric ferries for operation on Perth's Swan River. LR will provide classification and technical assurance services throughout the design and build, supporting the safe introduction of this new generation of zero-emission vessels. Building on an established working relationship, LR and Echo Marine Group are collaborating closely to bring first-of-its-kind electric propulsion technology into public transport service in Australia. The programme sets a new benchmark for zero-emission ferry design and construction in the region. As one of the first fully electric ferry fleets in Australia, the project presents unique technical and regulatory considerations, including high-voltage battery integration, evolving standards and the safe deployment of new propulsion systems in a public transport environment. LR's early involvement helped define a clear approval pathway, ensuring that technical decisions were validated from the outset and aligned with emerging requirements for electric vessels. An initial first step of LR's role has been proactive technical engagement. Through structured workshops, and regular stakeholder sessions, supported by LR's global Technical Support Office. Drawing on its global experience across electric and hybrid vessel projects, LR has also shared international reference cases and practical insights to benchmark the design against proven solutions. This has provided additional confidence in critical areas such as battery safety systems, system integration and operational performance. In Perth, LR's local surveyor team is working alongside Echo Marine throughout construction, providing on-site oversight during installation of the electric propulsion systems, high-voltage cabling and associated safety systems. The combination of strong on-the-ground presence and global technical depth ensures seamless assurance from concept to commissioning. Asif Ghauri, Account Manager, Marine - Australasia, Lloyd's Register, said: "The strength of our long-standing relationship with Echo Marine Group has enabled us to move forward with confidence on this pioneering project. By combining local insight knowledge with regional and global expertise, we are providing end-to-end assurance that supports safety, compliance and innovation." Anthony Livanos, Project Manager, Echo Marine Group said: "Our collaboration with Lloyd's Register has been instrumental in reducing uncertainty around regulatory interpretation and safeguarding passenger safety, vessel efficiency, and delivery timelines. As governments across Australia and New Zealand accelerate decarbonisation efforts, this project showcases how close cooperation between owner, builder and class can successfully bring new technology into service." The programme is expected to provide a scalable model for future low-emission ferry developments across the region, with the first of the new electric vessels scheduled to enter service in 2027. Lloyd's Register's Fuel for Thought: Electric explores the role of electric power and electrification as part of the maritime industry's transition to lower- and zero-emission operations. It examines how electric propulsion systems can deliver improved energy efficiency, reduced emissions and lower noise and vibration for certain vessel types and operating profiles. The research helps shipowners and designers understand where electrification is most technically and commercially viable today, and how it can be safely integrated into future vessel designs. Get in touch with an expert Ferries. Press release19 Mar 2026 Press release13 Nov 2025 Press release07 Oct 2025 Horizons article 01 Jul 2025 Horizons article 18 Sep 2024 Press release29 Aug 2024 Press release18 Apr 2024 Press release06 Feb 2024

FLOWRA and Lloyd's Register to collaborate on floating offshore wind development. The Floating Offshore Wind Power Technology Research Association (FLOWRA) of Japan and Lloyd's Register (LR) have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore technology development co-operation in the field of floating offshore wind. FLOWRA is a technical research association that works with overseas organisations to research and develop common basic technologies for floating offshore wind to reduce costs and risks. Masakatsu Terazaki, Chairperson of FLOWRA Board of Directors, said: "Energy AG is delighted and proud to have concluded a cooperation agreement with LR, the authoritative classification society in the UK, having the world's longest history. "The promotion of renewable energy and the realisation of a sustainable society are vital mission for Energy AG. Particularly, floating offshore wind is greatly expected both domestically and internationally as a power source capable of utilising marine resources at the maximum extent with minimum environmental impact, and to deliver large scale electricity supply. "Through its collaboration with LR, Energy AG believe that Energy AG will be able to execute technological development in line with global standards, incorporating international standards and expertise in design, construction, and operation, and enabling Japan's floating offshore wind technology to gain further trust in the global market. "We strongly hope that this cooperation agreement will contribute to the development of floating offshore wind in Japan and worldwide and contribute to the creation of a more sustainable future." Manuel Ruiz, Renewables Director, Lloyd's Register, added: "The successful deployment of floating offshore wind needs strong alignment between innovation, safety and internationally recognised standards. Through its collaboration with FLOWRA, LR brings its global certification and energy asset assurance expertise to help reduce technical risk, to optimise projects' development costs and reduce uncertainties to accelerate the deployment of floating wind. "By working closely with Japan's industry leaders like FLOWRA, we aim to enable safe, scalable projects that contribute both to national wind energy ambitions and to the wider global maritime and offshore energy transition." Embed article link: (copy the HTML code below):

Anemoi calls for alignment in Wind Propulsion performance verification. [By: Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd.] Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd (Anemoi) and Lloyd's Register (LR) have published a new paper encouraging closer alignment between existing methodologies used to verify the performance of wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS). The research highlights how complementary frameworks can be brought together to strengthen consistency, transparency and industry confidence. The paper builds on LR's earlier verification of Anemoi's new in-service performance and forecasting model calibration methodology, designed specifically for WAPS. The new research assesses how that method fits alongside two existing frameworks: the International Towing Tank Conference's (ITTC) guidelines for sea trials and supporting performance prediction and DNV's recommended practice for in-service testing. Currently WAPS users and providers are applying a range of different approaches to performance analysis, making it difficult to compare results like-for-like and build a robust business case for decision makers to commit to WAPS installation on their vessels. The analysis shows that the three methodologies are complementary. While ITTC guidelines provide a short-term verification of predictions under controlled conditions and DNV's recommended practice offers long-term in-service assessment, Anemoi's verification method provides the bridge between in-service measurements and actionable fuel-saving predictions. The findings suggest that by selectively combining these strengths, an integrated and standardised approach would give ship operators' an invaluable tool for maximising the cost-saving potential of WAPS installations. This work would simplify comparison between solutions and strengthen confidence in reported savings at a time when more and more vessel operators are considering wind propulsion technologies. Anemoi's process, verified by LR in 2025, involves measuring vessel data when the wind-assisted propulsion system is turned on and off while encountering various conditions during regular operation. The data is then used to calibrate predictions on forces generated by the rotor sail system and their impact on the vessel, which can be used to predict voyage fuel savings with high levels of confidence. The process is technology agnostic and can be applied on all vessel types. The new paper was presented at the Royal Institute of Naval Architects' RINA Wind Propulsion 2026 conference on February 17. "Accurate measurement and prediction of the real savings made by vessels using WAPS is essential for giving confidence to ship owners and operators who want to harness wind energy in order to reduce environmental impact and fuel costs. With our verification process and our new efforts pointing to the potential convergence of methodologies, Anemoi is helping to guide the standardisation efforts that are needed to ensure this market flourishes." - Luke McEwen, Technical Director, Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd. "Verification of performance assessment methodologies is a core part of LR's mission to assure both safety and efficiency standards for maritime stakeholders - and particularly important in emerging sectors where processes have yet to be fully standardised. We are therefore delighted to partner with Anemoi once more to advance understanding of performance verification as the WAPS market matures." - Dr. Santiago Suarez de la Fuente, Ship Performance Manager, Lloyd's Register Advisory