The global fleet of commercial vessels equipped with battery systems or on order with battery installations has surpassed 2,000 ships, with a combined battery capacity of 2.4 gigawatt-hours (GWh), according to data released by the Maritime Battery Forum (MBF) on October 8.

The figures reflect growing adoption of battery technology across shipping as operators seek to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

According to the MBF Ship Registry, hybrid vessels account for 68% of the total, while plug-in hybrids represent 13% and fully electric ships make up 18%.

Passenger vessels form the largest segment, with 570 ships, followed by 313 offshore vessels and 265 cargo ships. The registry also includes 219 fishing vessels, 149 workboats, 83 tugs and 83 cruise ships.

Battery installations have increased in size in recent years, with average capacity reaching approximately 1.5 megawatt-hours (MWh) per vessel, MBF said.

Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker, managing director of MBF, said falling battery costs and technological advances were making larger fully electric vessels increasingly economically viable, with installations of up to 100 MWh per ship expected in the coming years.

Europe, led by Norway, accounts for most vessels recorded in the registry. However, MBF said the global total was likely understated, particularly in China, where only 267 ships are currently included despite a substantially larger domestic battery-powered fleet.