Agenda
Preliminary Conference Agenda WATTS UP APAC 2026
A comprehensive three-day deep dive into the the latest trends and innovations powering the APAC region. Join industry leaders for an intensive series of high-level discourse and workshops.
Wednesday 23rd September - Pre Conference
The courses can be attended without having a ticket for the conference on Thursday and Friday so everyone is welcome to attend just the course.
09:00 – 12:00
Introduction course to maritime batteries by the Maritime Battery Forum
The introduction course to maritime batteries provides a practical, systems-level introduction to the use of large lithium-ion battery systems in commercial vessels. It is developed by the Maritime Battery Forum for naval architects, marine engineers, operators, regulators, and anyone else interested in maritime battery technology.
The course focuses on the key aspects of lithium-ion batteries, maritime battery systems, use cases for maritime applications (from hybrids to full electric), and safe integration on board ships.
13:00 – 18:00
Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Management Course for Maritime Professionals by Ocomp
Embark on a crucial learning journey with OComp and Maritime Battery Forum as we present the course, "Managing a Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Onboard a Vessel," designed exclusively for technical personnel and individuals engaged in shore-based roles within the shipping industry.
Certification: Upon completion, receive a course certificate in accordance with the requirements in "Norwegian Maritime Authority guidelines on requirements for training in chemical energy storage (maritime battery systems) on board Norwegian ships."
18:00 – 20:00
Pre-conference reception
Spend an evening connecting with experts in maritime battery experts, industry representatives and government organizations at the conference dinner!
Thursday 24th September - Conference Day 1
Connect with over 200 experts, share ideas, experience cutting-edge talks and real-world battery-powered vessel showcases
9:00 – 10:30
Opening Session
Session Speakers
9:00 – 9:15
Opening by the Maritime Battery Forum
Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker, MBF Director & Denise Ho, Regional Director, APAC
9:15 – 10:00
Keynote Speech
Dr. Shirley Meng, Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
10:00 – 10:30
Getting ready for IMO Net Zero Framework
Teemu Kyläkallio, Rauma Marine Constructions
10:30 – 11:00
Coffee Break
Excellent opportunity to meet and connect with other attendees in the break! Don't forget to stop by the exhibitor booths and learn more about their projects!
11:00 – 12:30
Session - Battery Safety
This session will dive into the latest developments on maritime battery safety.
Session Speakers
11:00 – 11:30
Battery Safety Developments for Maritime Electrification
Hu Chen, American Bureau of Shipping
11:30 – 12:00
Battery Safety: Status and Gaps in Deployment
Sing Yang Chiam, Singapore Battery Consortium
12:00 – 12:30
Beyond Compliance: Using Experimental Data and CFD to Shape the Next Generation of Battery Room Safety Standards
Wen Qi Ong, Singapore Institute of Technology
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch
Excellent opportunity to meet and connect with other attendees in the break! Couldn't ask your questions to some speakers? Find them during Lunch!
13:30 – 15:00
Session – “Vessel Electrification: Global Policy Pathways"
This session will feature policy and industry experts from the U.S. and Asia, including the Republic of Korea (RoK), China, and Singapore, to share policy approaches and implementation cases that support the electrification of vessels and the deployment of maritime battery technologies.
Session Speakers
13:30 – 13:35
Opening Remarks
Pacific Environment
Country presentations on policy landscape and pilot projects - China: Overview of domestic vessel electrification
TBC
13:55 – 14:10
Country presentations on policy landscape and pilot projects - Republic of Korea (RoK): Snapshot of RoK’s vessel electrification initiatives
TBC
14:10 – 14:45
Panel discussion
While different jurisdictions have adopted varying approaches to address these barriers, important questions remain around policy’s role in accelerating deployment while fostering a commercially sustainable market.
Speakers TBC
14:45 – 15:00
Audience Q & A and Closing Remarks
TBC
15:00 – 15:30
Coffee break
Excellent opportunity to meet and connect with other attendees in the break! Don't forget to stop by the exhibitor booths and learn more about their projects
15:30 – 17:00
Session – Battery Technology Developments
This session will discuss the latest developments in maritime battery technology, from different battery chemistries to containerized maritime battery solutions.
Session Speakers
15:30 – 15:50
Hybrid to Zero – A New Approach
Chris Kruger, AYK Energy
15:50 – 16:10
Evaluating maritime batteries beyond cost per kWh
Felix Backgård, Echandia Marine
16:10 – 16:30
TBD
Dr. Lin Rongying, Durapower
16:30 – 16:50
From Waste to Strategic Resource
Desmond Toh, GLC Recycle Pte Ltd
17:00 – 17:30
Expert panel with the Gold sponsors
We will look back on the first day of WATTS UP APAC with the experts from our golden sponsors. Panel discuss the lessons learned and current challenges for maritime electrification in Asia-Pacific.
18:00 – 20:00
Conference dinner
Spend an evening connecting with experts in maritime battery experts, industry representatives and government organizations at the conference dinner!
Friday 25th September - Conference Day 2
Connect with over 200 experts, share ideas, experience cutting-edge talks and real-world battery-powered vessel showcases
08:45 – 10:30
Session - Charging infrastructure, integration and battery recycling
This session will focus on different challenges for maritime electrification, from the development of charging infrastructure, integration challenges and battery recycling.
Session Speakers
8:45 – 9:10
The future of Secure Maritime Electrification: MCS, Encrypted Communications, Smart/Dynamic Charging, and V2G Integration
Jacques Borremans, CharIn
9:10 – 9:40
From Hybrid Retrofit to Full Fleet Electrification: Practical Pathways and Scalable Solutions for Ferry Operators
Fahaz Ak & Kenneth Joseph, ABB
9:40 – 10:05
E-Tugs: SEECAT, a model-based approach to enable vessel electrification
Lawrence Ching & Seshadri Gopalakrishnan, Bureau Veritas
10:05 – 10:30
TBD
Dr Pimpa Limthongkul, TESTA
10:30 – 11:00
Coffee break
Excellent opportunity to meet and connect with other attendees in the break! Don't forget to stop by the exhibitor booths and learn more about their projects
11:00 – 12:30
Session - Marine Electrification Use Cases
This session wil explore different use cases for electrification in the maritime industry, from small fishing boats, mid sized vessels, large Ropax and cargo vessels.
11:00 – 11:20
Session Speakers
Electrification of Fishing Boats in India & Singapore
Rajkumar Rajappan Gounder, Hilmil Solutions
11:20 – 11:40
Considerations on electrifying small commercial vessels
Ricky Coleman, Epropulsion
11:40 – 12:00
The Business Case For Batteries: Launching The World's Longest Range Hybrid Electric Vessel
Matt Mallino, Fleetzero
12:00 – 12:20
Energy Transition and Battery Electrification
Jan-Erik Räsänen, Foreship
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch
Excellent opportunity to meet and connect with other attendees in the break! Couldn't ask your questions to some speakers? Find them during Lunch!
13:30 – 17:00
Battery-powered ship visit
Don't miss the visit to get a practical perspective on the real-world application of marine electrification and the innovations driving the future of zero- and low-emission shipping.