Global GSA Group and Qantas have announced a new pan-European cargo partnership leveraging Qantas’ direct services from Rome and Paris and Global GSA Group’s extensive interline connections.
Qantas offers seasonal services from Rome’s Fiumicino airport with three weekly Boeing 787-9 services providing generous cargo capacity during European Summer. The Australian carrier also offers year-round services from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport with three weekly flights also operated by the Boeing 787-9 and a weekly cargo uplift of around 45 tonnes.
Direct flights from France and Italy are available for booking with seasonal Rome-Perth-Sydney services set to commence on 15 June 2025.
Aytekin Saray, Global GSA Group’s Chief Executive Officer, and Mallory Logan, Head of Global Sales and Customer for Qantas Freight this week signed the three-year agreement selecting Global GSA Group as Qantas Freight’s GSA in Europe.
As one of the world’s leading GSAs with a dense commercial network in 25 European countries and strong interline connections, Global GSA Group will assist in implementing and developing Qantas’ cargo expansion plans for mainland Europe over the next three years. An efficient and flexible mix of direct flights and interline opportunities will give European freight forwarders access to reliable services to Australia and beyond.
“As the only Australian carrier providing direct services from two European ports to Australia with connections to broader Oceania destinations, Qantas offers a huge network of opportunity for European freight forwarders to reach domestic and international destinations within Oceania,” said Aytekin Saray, Chief Executive Officer of Global GSA Group.
“Global GSA Group looks forward to supporting Qantas as it expands its cargo offerings from Europe, leveraging our solid presence on this continent to provide a broad and long-term cargo network and increased online operations for the region.”
Igor Kwiatkowski, Executive Manager of Qantas Freight, said the Australian carrier was looking forward to partnering with Global GSA Group for its re-entry into Europe.
“We are thrilled to partner with an experienced GSA like Global GSA Group to offer our customers more efficient and flexible air freight services from Europe. This strategic partnership allows us to make the most of cargo network in the region and make it easier for freight forwarders to access our capacity from Europe to Australia and meet continued global ecommerce demand.”
Flight QF34 takes off at 10:25 every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from Paris -Charles de Gaulle to Perth, where it lands at 08:45 the next day. At 10:30, it continues onto Sydney, landing at 16:25 the same afternoon. From Perth, Qantas offers multiple onward connections to Melbourne (MEL) and Brisbane (BNE), while Sydney feeds into key ports like Aukland (AKL), Nouméa (NOU), New Caledonia and more.
From 15th June 2025 to 3rd October 2025, three flights per week will set off from Rome via Perth to Sydney. Flight number QF6 departs Italy on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
The post Global GSA Group partners with Qantas to boost cargo network from Europe to Australia appeared first on Air Cargo Week.
The global air cargo industry came together in spectacular fashion on Tuesday evening to celebrate the 2025 Air Cargo Week World Air Cargo Awards, recognising excellence, innovation, and leadership across every corner of the supply chain.
Hosted during the air cargo Europe exhibition, the ceremony marked one of the biggest nights on the logistics calendar—shining a spotlight on the people, companies, and solutions that are propelling airfreight into the future.
This year’s event saw a record number of entries and an expanded set of categories, reflecting the growing diversity and dynamism of the industry.
From groundbreaking tech to outstanding service, regional excellence to global leadership, the night was a celebration of what makes air cargo thrive: vision, resilience, and community.
This year’s winners represented the very best across the airfreight ecosystem. Cargotech took home the award for Technology Solution Provider, while Unilode was named top Industry Service Provider. LATAM Cargo was recognised for excellence in pharmaceutical logistics, and Nallian earned the Innovation Award. Qatar Airways Cargo was celebrated for its standout marketing and promotion campaign. In forwarding, Skyways and DHL Global Forwarding claimed the regional and global titles respectively. HACTL was named best Regional Cargo Handler, with WFS taking the global crown. On the airport front, SEA Milan Airport and Hong Kong International Airport were awarded best regional and global cargo hubs. Dnata and ECS Group stood out as leading GSSAs in the regional and global categories. In airline excellence, Atlas Air (Americas), Cathay Pacific (Asia), KLM/Air France/Martinair (Europe), and Emirates SkyCargo (Middle East & Africa) all took top honours, while Turkish Airlines was named Global Airline of the Year.
The most heartfelt moment of the evening came with the presentation of the Air Cargo Personality of the Year award to Sanjeev Gadhia. His pioneering work in humanitarian logistics, drone delivery, and building cargo capacity in underserved regions has made him not only a business leader but a force for global good.
The 2025 World Air Cargo Awards would not have been possible without the incredible support of its sponsors. Special thanks go to ExFreight, Aerotrans, Kuehne + Nagel, MAERSK, XCR Airport, WebCargo, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, VIAgroup, Brussels Airport, Royal Air Maroc, United Cargo, UPS, HACTL, AGI, Munich Airport, World ACD, Euro Cargo Aviation, Aerion, and ECS Group.
The post The winners of the 2025 Air Cargo Week World Air Cargo Awards appeared first on Air Cargo Week.
MP Stella Creasy calls on the freight and logistics industry to become more proactive in making its voice heard by policymakers – a challenge BIFA is committed to meeting.
The British International Freight Association (BIFA) marked a triumphant return to large-scale conferencing with its National Conference 2025, held recently at The Slate, University of Warwick – the first such event in nearly two decades.
Bringing together logistics professionals from across the UK, the two-day event delivered a packed agenda of expert panels, critical industry updates, and unparalleled networking opportunities under the theme “Ignite Today. Accelerate Tomorrow.”
Industry issues, insightful dialogue
BIFA Director General Steve Parker hailed the conference as “a resounding success,” noting the event’s ability to unite members and stakeholders to collectively address the future of freight forwarding and logistics.
“There was a fantastic atmosphere throughout. It was great to see so many members and supporters of our industry in one room, discussing where we are today and where we’re heading,” said Parker. “This was a real opportunity to connect, collaborate, and prepare for the future.”
Day one explored key sectors including airfreight, oceanfreight, sustainability, customs, and legal developments, while day two tackled digital challenges with a focus on cybersecurity and data protection.
A standout session, “What Does Trump Mean for Trade?”, delivered timely insights from a trade expert recently back from Washington, D.C.
Attendees also received an exclusive preview of BIFA’s updated Standard Trading Conditions, ahead of their official launch later this year.
Exhibition zone and industry innovation
The headline sponsor of the event was CNS, with ASM and RM Boulanger as gold and silver sponsors, respectively.
An exhibition zone showcased innovative products and services from BIFA’s associate member companies, sparking dialogue and collaboration across the freight and logistics supply chain. Exhibitors included Axe, Conex, Freightcover and MCP plc.
Memorable moments and key voices
The gala dinner featured an inspiring keynote from Olympian and broadcaster Kriss Akabusi MBE. His energetic storytelling and motivational message left a lasting impression on delegates.
The conference also welcomed MP Stella Creasy, who addressed the evolving UK-EU relationship. Her candid remarks called on the freight industry to become more proactive in making its voice heard by policymakers – a challenge BIFA is committed to meeting.
Looking ahead
Parker concluded: “Whether they were ‘sent to Coventry’, or travelled there of their own accord, all attendees were united in their praise of the two-day event.
“They agreed that this conference wasn’t just about information – it was about transformation. While we were pleased with the event, we know we can build on it and hope to see even more members at our next national conference.”
The post BIFA National Conference 2025 is a resounding success appeared first on Air Cargo Week.
Following a very successful 15 years as Chief Executive of London Gatwick, Stewart Wingate has been appointed as managing director, UK Airports, a newly created role by VINCI Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).
Pierre-Hugues Schmit, currently Chief Commercial and Operational Officer at VINCI Airports and a non-executive director on the London Gatwick Board, will succeed Stewart as Chief Executive of London Gatwick.
Both appointments are effective 1 September 2025 with Pierre-Hugues and Stewart working together over the next few months to ensure a smooth transition.
Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and president of VINCI Airports and Michael McGhee, deputy chairman of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) said: “Stewart is one of the most experienced aviation executives in Europe and on behalf of the Board we would like to thank him for his outstanding contribution to London Gatwick. During his tenure, passenger numbers have climbed from 30 million in 2009 to more than 43 million, fuelled by significant growth in long-haul routes and strong airline relationships. He has also overseen major transformations in areas including runway and airfield operations and security and embedded sustainability at the heart of airport operations. His broad expertise and strong track record make him an ideal choice for the newly created role of Managing Director for the UK as we look to maximise the opportunities across our UK portfolio.
“We would also like to thank Pierre-Hugues Schmit for his significant contribution to the development and performance of VINCI Airports as Chief Commercial and Operations Officer for the past seven years. Thanks to his extensive experience in the aviation sector and as a Board member for London Gatwick, Pierre-Hugues is well-placed to deliver on the significant growth opportunities that lie ahead for London Gatwick. We wish both of them much success in their new roles.“
Stewart Wingate, out-going CEO, London Gatwick said: “It’s been a privilege to lead the London Gatwick team for over 15 years through a number of very exciting projects such as the seven-year planning process to bring our Northern Runway into routine use and more challenging periods such as the Covid pandemic. I have also been fortunate to have had the opportunity to engage with a broad range of local stakeholders as we have shaped and delivered our plans.
“The airport is in a strong financial and operational position with more airlines than ever before serving our passengers. I am delighted to be handing over to Pierre Hugues and look forward to continuing to be involved with London Gatwick and working with the teams from Edinburgh and Belfast in my new role.”
Schmit said: “London Gatwick plays a vital role in the UK, by providing seamless access to both global and domestic markets and delivering substantial trade and economic benefits in the South-East and beyond. I’m excited to be joining London Gatwick as Chief Executive to lead the airport through the next stage of its growth journey.”
LGW and cargo
London Gatwick Airport has historically played a limited role in airfreight, primarily handling cargo in the belly holds of passenger aircraft rather than through dedicated freighter services. This approach has constrained its freight capacity compared to larger hubs like Heathrow.
In recent years, Gatwick has experienced a resurgence in passenger traffic, nearing its pre-pandemic peak of 46.5 million travelers in 2019. This growth indirectly benefits air freight, as increased passenger flights provide more opportunities for belly-hold cargo transport. However, the airport’s freight operations remain modest, with no dedicated cargo terminals or significant freighter activity.
Looking ahead, Gatwick’s expansion plans could influence its freight capabilities. The airport has proposed bringing its standby northern runway into regular use, aiming to increase capacity to handle up to 75 million passengers annually by the late 2030s. This £2.2 billion project, pending final approval, focuses on enhancing passenger services but may also create additional opportunities for belly-hold cargo.
Despite these developments, Gatwick is unlikely to become a major air freight hub in the near future. Its freight operations will probably continue to rely on passenger aircraft capacity, with limited scope for dedicated cargo services. The airport’s primary focus remains on passenger traffic, and any growth in freight activity will likely be a secondary benefit of increased flight operations.
The post Stewart Wingate named UK Airports MD; Pierre-Hugues Schmit takes over as LGW CEO appeared first on Air Cargo Week.
SolitAir, the UAE’s only dedicated cargo airline operating express daily scheduled services between Dubai and high-yield key trade routes across the Global South, has announced a strategic partnership with Marsh McLennan, a global leader in insurance brokerage and aviation risk management services.
As part of the collaboration, Marsh will provide comprehensive coverage to safeguard SolitAir’s growing fleet of Boeing aircraft, along with its other operational assets.
Commenting on the partnership, Hamdi Osman, founder and CEO of SolitAir, said: “This collaboration is a significant step in our mission to revolutionize regional air cargo logistics and enhance our service offerings across Africa, the GCC, the Indian Subcontinent and the Stan countries. Marsh’s extensive expertise in risk management and tailored insurance solutions will help us navigate the complexities of the air cargo industry, enabling us to operate with greater confidence and efficiency. Their commitment to leveraging technology aligns perfectly with our vision of being a technology-driven company. Our partnership with Marsh reinforces SolitAir’s commitment to delivering exceptional service and operational excellence. We look forward to a successful collaboration.”
David George, deputy chairman, Aviation at Marsh Specialty, said: “Marsh Aviation are proud to be supporting Solitair, a dynamic new Cargo and Express delivery platform in the Gulf. Great people and a great business that will be a great success.”
SolitAir’s growing fleet currently includes four Boeing 737-800 BCF freighters. These aircraft operate out of the airline’s 220,000 sq m cutting-edge logistics facility at DWC. Three more aircraft will join its fleet by the end of August 2025. The cargo airline planes to have a fleet 20 aircraft by 2027. The company is also laying the groundwork for integrating electric aircraft into its network by the end of the decade, in line with its sustainability vision.
The versatile fleet is optimised for reliability, efficiency and the safe transport of specialised cargo, including temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, e-commerce shipments and hazardous materials.
The post SolitAir partners with Marsh McLennan for aviation risk management appeared first on Air Cargo Week.
The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has announced the results of the seventh Air Cargo Sustainability Awards, run in partnership with one of the leading industry IT solutions providers CHAMP Cargosystems. The Awards aim to recognise outstanding businesses and industry initiatives seeking to make air cargo more sustainable. There were two categories being judged, one for Start-Up/Small Business and the second for Corporate and established businesses.
The jury, comprised of six industry leaders and sustainability champions evaluated the submissions on a number of criteria, including impact on society and industry, ease of implementation, innovation and the wow factor.
Chris McDermott, CEO at CHAMP said: “The Ostend Bruges Airport biodiversity programme is a truly remarkable initiative that demonstrates the power of collaboration and community engagement in achieving environmental goals. Their success is a testament to what can be accomplished in air cargo when innovation meets a deep commitment to our planet. Congratulations to Ostend Bruges Airport!”
Ostend Bruges Airport won for its a biodiversity programme which is a project that sparks broad community engagement by partnering with local governments, farmers and beekeepers, directly benefiting those stakeholders and raising environmental awareness across the region. This joint initiative will let residents and visitors observe the restored habitats first hand, showcasing how wildlife conservation and airport operations can coexist in harmony while strengthening local pride in biodiversity.
“After reviewing all of the entries, the level of innovation and thought put into making air cargo more sustainable truly gives me hope. It’s inspiring to see how deeply our industry is committed to building a greener future.
“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate that Ostend-Bruges Airport on their initiative to make air cargo more sustainable. Their efforts are a shining example of what is possible when innovation meets commitment,” said Glyn Hughes, director general TIACA
“To everyone who participated—thank you for sharing your work. The TIACA Board is very proud to be holding these awards and we look forward to helping showcase the incredible progress our industry is making on the path to sustainability,” stated Steven Polmans, TIACA chair.
The official awards ceremony will be held during the Executive Summit 2025 in Hong Kong, June 24-26
The post TIACA’s green scene: Cargo champs crowned for saving planet, profits too! appeared first on Air Cargo Week.
India has finalized a new round of international partnerships aimed at strengthening its shipbuilding sector and the launch of its first domestic polar research vessel. It is part of the declared strategy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India a powerhouse in international shipbuilding.
During an official visit to Norway this week time to coincide with the Nor-Shipping Conference, India’s Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal held talks with Japan’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Terada Yoshimichi. On the agenda of the meeting was deepening maritime ties between India and Japan. The two ministers reviewed the progress of a possible partnership deal between Indian and Japanese shipyards.
Sonowal expressed India’s interest in leading Japanese shipbuilding companies such as the Imabari Shipbuilding, JMUC, Kanagawa Dockyard, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to explore joint ventures and collaborative arrangements with Indian yards.
He also attended the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) and Norway’s Kongsberg Maritime. This partnership is critical as GRSE embarks on the design and construction of India’s first-ever polar research vessel. Kongsberg, a maritime technology specialist company, will provide design expertise for developing the research vessel.
“Japan’s expertise in shipbuilding and ship repair is well recognized, and I see a great scope for collaboration in this area. We also invite Japan’s Big Three maritime companies, NYK Line, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and K Line, to explore joint ventures and investment opportunities in India’s growing maritime sector,” stated Sarbananda Sonowal.
Japan has been engaged in railway infrastructure development with India but now is interested in the maritime sector. Mutual collaboration in shipbuilding and training of seafarers is welcome, commented Yoshimichi.
Imabari Shipbuilding is already looking into a greenfield investment in India’s Andhra Pradesh state. In February, Imabari’s President Yukito Higaki led a high-level delegation to meet Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, where the two parties discussed potential investments in shipbuilding.
Last year, Andhra Pradesh finalized a maritime policy, which is offering incentives for the creation of yard infrastructure. The state has adopted a cluster-based approach, zoning off land in specific port areas for allocation to shipbuilding and ship-repairing companies. The land may be provided for a long-term lease (30-60 years) at a nominal rate.
In a roundtable with the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA), Sonowal called for the owners to consider investing in India’s maritime sector. The minister recognized that Indian shipyards currently hold 11 percent of NSA’s order book. “We request for further expansion of orders, including leveraging on India’s ship breaking credit note scheme.”
India has already made strong inroads into the Norwegian shipping community building for example the autonomous barges for ASKO Maritime, a division of a Norwegian grocery chain. In April, India’s Udupi Cochin Shipyard delivered the first dry bulk vessel, Wilson Eco 1, to the Norwegian Wilson Ship Management. The vessel is the first in a series of six 3,800 DWT cargo ships, which Wilson ordered at the yard in June 2023.
India has also been courting the South Korean shipbuilding industry encouraging partnerships and development of yards in India. Major shipping companies including CMA CGM, Maersk, and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company have also been courted with proposals for ship repair and shipbuilding at India’s yards.
The Trump administrate has reported begun to review the names of U.S. warships as part of an effort to “align” with the president and secretary of defense’s objectives of reestablishing the “warrior culture,” according to a leaked memo from the Pentagon. First in the effort, the reports are saying, is the renaming of USNS Harvey Milk, a John Lewis class replenishment oiler named for a slain gay rights activist and elected San Francisco supervisor who became a symbol of the gay community after his 1978 murder.
The website Military.com was first to report on the leaked memo and the story has now been confirmed by major news outlets including CBS News and Reuters. The initiative is reported to be coming from the office of the Secretary of Defense, ex-Fox reporter Pete Hegseth. Navy spokespersons only confirmed that any renaming would be announced “after an internal review.”
The stories are saying that preparations are underway for the renaming, although they were unable to learn the new name of the USNS Harvey Milk. Reports are saying the Secretary of Defense planned to announce the changes on June 13. Military.com writes the timing is intentional to make the announcement during the Pride month celebrations in the U.S., which is dedicated to celebrating the contributions of the gay community.
Milk served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War in the early 1950s. According to his official bio, he was however effectively booted from the Navy in 1955 after questions arose about his sexual orientation. He was elected as an openly gay San Francisco supervisor in 1977 and was outspoken before he was murdered in San Francisco City Hall on November 27, 1978, along with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, by an ex-supervisor named Dan White.
The Navy decided to name the new class of oilers after prominent civil rights leaders and activists. The class is still under construction, although the Navy has published names for the additional ships. CBS is reporting that in addition to Harvey Milk, renaming is under consideration for two vessels named after U.S. Supreme Court Justices, USNS Thurgood Marshall and USNS Ruth Bader Ginsberg, as well as USNS Harriet Tubman named for an abolitionist leader and others including USNS Dolores Huerta, USNS Lucy Stone, USNS Cesar Chaver, and USNS Medgar Evers.
CBS spoke with former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and San Francisco resident Nancy Pelosi who called the rumored action “shameful” and “vindictive.” Reuters is quoting U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as calling the actions “disgusting” and “blatant discrimination.”
Trump and Hegseth have both called for restoring the focus on warfighting and promising to rid the military of all DEI efforts (diversity, equity, and inclusion). Hegseth also ordered the military to stop marking celebrations such as Black History Month and to purge DEI references from all areas ranging from libraries to materials and programs.
The Navy has rarely renamed active vessels. It has a long tradition of naming vessels after elected officials and prominent veterans and people in society as well as geographic locations. In 2023, the Navy renamed two vessels, USS Chancellorsville and USNS Maury, as part of a Congress-directed effort at removing names associated with the Confederacy during the U.S. Civil War. It also took the names of Confederate generals off military bases, which was reversed by the Trump administration in March.
[By: Nor-Shipping]
Nor-Shipping, in partnership with YoungShip International, has crowned Alisha Fredriksson, CEO and Co-Founder of pioneering carbon capture company Seabound, winner of the Nor-Shipping 2025 Young Entrepreneur Award.
Fredriksson collected the accolade yesterday evening in Oslo, triumphing over a high quality shortlist featuring Kvasir Technologies’ CEO Joachim Bachmann Nielsen, Fabian Fussek, Co-Founder and CEO of Kaiko Systems, and Josephine Le, Founder of The Hood Platform.
Fredriksson now joins a prestigious list of former title holders, all of whom were under 40 at the time of winning, such as Cristina Aleixendri of bound4blue, Value Maritime’s Christiaan Nijst, Tor M. Østervold of ECOsubsea, Brim Explorer’s Espen Larsen-Hakkebo and Agnes Árnadóttir, Tuomas Riski of Norsepower, and Boyan Slat of The Ocean Cleanup.
Visionary impact
Sidsel Norvik, Director, Nor-Shipping, congratulated the Seabound CEO on her achievement, noting: “Alisha represents the very best of the next generation in ocean leadership—visionary, driven, and wholly committed to making a real-world impact. Her work at Seabound is not only innovative, but deeply aligned with the core Nor-Shipping 2025 theme of #Future-Proof. We’re incredibly proud to recognise her in Nor-Shipping’s 60th anniversary year.”
Erlend Holberg, Secretary General of YoungShip International, adds: “Alisha’s selection is a testament to the impact she’s already made, and the potential she has to shape a more sustainable and resilient maritime future. The calibre of candidates this year was outstanding, so for Alisha to stand out speak volumes about her achievements. She embodies the type of leadership we need more of – solutions-focused, inclusive, and unafraid to challenge the status quo.”
Rapid progress
Fredriksson has quickly achieved acclaim within the industry after co-founding Seabound in 2021 with the mission to tackle one of maritime’s most pressing decarbonisation challenges – exhaust emissions. Under her leadership, the climate tech company has rapidly developed and deployed onboard carbon capture systems, starting in 2023 with successful sea trials capturing up to 80% of CO? emissions on a 3,200 TEU container ship. In an innovative twist, Seabound has also demonstrated the viability of transforming vessel emissions into solid limestone for reuse. Fredriksson’s work has earned her spots on the Forbes 30 Under 30, MIT Innovators Under 35, and the Women In Change Awards lists.
Nor-Shipping 2025 is taking place now in Oslo and Lillestrøm, with a packed activity programme running through to 6 June. More than 50,000 global decision-makers are expected to participate, with around 1,000 exhibiting companies showcasing the very latest innovations, products and services in the maritime and ocean industries.
[By: Volvo Penta]
Initially developed for the marine commercial sector, this new Volvo Penta IPS electric range includes five drivelines, aimed to deliver enhanced efficiency, precision and flexibility while reinforcing Volvo Penta’s commitment to productivity, safety, and sustainability.
A New Chapter in Electric Marine Propulsion
The Volvo Penta IPS Electric (E) range is a powerful complement to the hybrid electric (H) solutions introduced earlier in 2024. Together, they offer customers a broad selection of ‘fit-for-purpose’ solutions tailored to diverse operational needs and duty cycles.
In this new, fully electric marine propulsion offer, the electric motor is directly coupled to the Volvo Penta IPS driveline and available in twin, triple, or quadruple configurations. This opens possibilities for a broader range of vessels to harness the core benefits of the Volvo Penta IPS system – such as Electronic Vessel Control (EVC), forward-facing propulsion, and outstanding maneuverability.
“We have built up strong expertise based on 20 years of efficient operation with more than 40,000 Volvo Penta IPS drivelines in operation, as well as recent successful market pilots in marine electrification,” says Anna Müller, President of Volvo Penta. “Our aim with this new range is to deliver a plug and play electric propulsion solution, keeping the uniqueness of our core competence, but also designed to scale together with 3rd party integrators.”
A Leap in Efficiency
Among the most notable benefits of the Volvo Penta IPS solution is its forward-facing efficiency, which pulls the vessel through water, rather than pushing it. When paired with electric motors, this delivers a high-performance, zero-emissions solution for a wide range of operational profiles.
Further efficiency gains can be realized by the system’s responsive acceleration, tight turning radius, superior grip, and precision control. For operators, the result is more silent and smooth journeys with minimal environmental impact.
The all-new electric (E) propulsion range
Starting in Q4 2025, Volvo Penta will roll out the IPS900E (up to 515 kW), followed by models like the IPS650E (up to 374 kW). The aim is to electrify all five drivelines in the Volvo Penta IPS range, targeting power outputs from 220 kW to 1.1 MW per driveline – scaling up to 4.5 MW for quad installations.
The complete electric range will include full ‘helm-to-propeller’ functionality, maintaining the maneuverability and control that define the Volvo Penta IPS experience. This includes Volvo Penta’s Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) system, with premium features like Joystick Driving, Dynamic Positioning System, Autopilot, and Assisted Docking.
Operators will benefit from a fully integrated Human-Machine Interface (HMI) that enables seamless drive mode selection and system monitoring via the Energy Management System (EMS). Available modes include Pure Electric, Hybrid Electric, and Hybrid Fuel, enabling ease of operation and a seamless experience at the helm.
The Power of Plenty
Volvo Penta offers a full range of marine generator sets, both fixed and variable speed, serving as the primary energy source or battery-extending support.
These onboard gensets can deliver power on demand of the electric driveline as well as enable redundancy, balance running hours and prolong service intervals. If one generator is offline for maintenance, others seamlessly take over, enhancing reliability. This ‘power of plenty’ approach boosts productivity and maximizes uptime.
A Scalable Ecosystem
Volvo Penta aims to deliver scalable, standardized solutions for integration with a range of qualified 3rd parties. The company will work with qualified partners to deliver a fully integrated electric solution combining the power of Volvo Penta IPS electric propulsion packages with the Energy Storage System (ESS), potential marine gensets, DC grid infrastructure and the Energy Management System (EMS).
Volvo Penta also has proven capabilities in-house. Through its subsidiary, ZEM, there is the ability to provide a complete hybrid or fully electric configuration, including electric propulsion, potential marine generator sets, the ESS, and EMS.
“We believe our new electric marine propulsion range will be a winning combination – uniting the efficiency of Volvo Penta IPS and qualified integrators’ expertise. We look forward to groundbreaking collaboration to bring this game-changing marine technology to life,” concludes Anna Müller.”
