Malaysia’s Centus Marine Doubles Down on Hybrid Crew Boats

Strategic Marine delivers its second eco-friendly fast crew vessel

Centus Marine, a Malaysian fast crew boat (FCB) operator, just took another leap toward greener offshore operations. The company received its second hybrid FCB, the Centus Alesha, from Singaporean shipbuilder Strategic Marine. The vessel, equipped with a proprietary hybrid propulsion system, promises to slash fuel consumption and emissions—a win for both the bottom line and the environment.

“This delivery underscores our strong partnership with Centus Marine and our shared commitment to sustainable offshore transport,” said Strategic Marine CEO Chan Eng Yew.

The Centus Alesha follows the successful debut of its sister vessel earlier in 2024, marking a steady push by Centus Marine to modernize its fleet. Hybrid propulsion isn’t just a buzzword here: Strategic Marine’s system intelligently switches between diesel and electric power, optimizing efficiency during transit and idle periods. For an industry notorious for its carbon footprint, such innovations are critical.

Derick Soo of Centus Marine didn’t mince words about the significance of the new boat. “The Centus Alesha isn’t just another vessel—it’s a strategic step in our decarbonization roadmap,” he said. “We’re setting higher benchmarks for operational and environmental performance across Southeast Asia’s offshore sector.” The region, a hub for oil and gas operations, faces mounting pressure to adopt cleaner technologies as global climate targets tighten.

Strategic Marine’s hybrid system isn’t just about compliance; it’s a selling point. With fuel costs volatile and emissions regulations tightening, operators like Centus Marine are betting on hybrids to future-proof their fleets. The Centus Alesha is a tangible example of how the maritime industry can balance efficiency and sustainability—without sacrificing the speed and reliability demanded by offshore clients.

“Every liter of fuel saved is a step toward a greener bottom line,” added Soo.

As Centus Marine integrates its second hybrid FCB, the question isn’t whether more will follow—it’s how quickly. With shipbuilders and operators aligning on sustainability, the era of gas-guzzling crew boats might finally be winding down.