Specialist risk and marine consultancy Marex has developed a rigorous technical assurance framework to allow hybrid battery-diesel vessels to operate safely within the 500m zone of offshore installations.
The breakthrough provides a clear, evidence-based justification for a major UKCS operator to adopt lower-emission tonnage, overcoming the complex regulatory and safety hurdles associated with large-scale maritime battery systems.
Navigating new technology safely
While hybrid vessels offer a significant opportunity to reduce offshore emissions, their use near fixed installations raises unique challenges. Concerns regarding battery-related hazards, power system complexity and thermal runaway often create internal resistance and regulatory scrutiny.
To address this, Marex developed a focused risk-based technical note that proves hybrid vessels can be managed to the same - or better - safety standards as conventional ships, all within a tight operational timeframe.
Rapid, risk-based justification
By aligning the operator’s requirements with emerging international guidance for lithium-ion marine systems, Marex identified key risks and established practical control measures.
Key elements of this safety framework include:
- codified mitigations: clear operational requirements covering vessel certification, battery safety systems and redundancy modes specifically for the 500m zone.
- evidence-backed assurance: explicit links to class rules and global industry experience to build both internal and regulatory confidence.
- emergency response expectations: defined procedures for managing power management failures or gas emissions.
Confidence to innovate
The project highlights Marex’s ability to bridge the gap between green technology and the stringent safety demands of the offshore sector. The resulting technical assurance allowed the operator to proceed with their chartering plans while demonstrating that good engineering practice remains central to their decision-making.
“Our goal was to provide the client with a defensible, concise justification that would stand up to the highest level of scrutiny,” said Marex managing director Wayne Henderson.
“By combining our technical safety expertise with a clear understanding of maritime battery arrangements, we have helped an operator move toward their sustainability goals without compromising on safety or regulatory compliance.”
You can find out more about Marex marine assurance services here: https://www.mmass.co.uk/expertise/maritime