- Leverage and continue the results of the joint MCS Vessels Project conducted with Crowley, Black & Veatch, and ABS under a grant from the US Maritime Administration (MARAD).
- Define and promote MCS-compatible shore power solutions for charging and/or powering battery-electric and hybrid vessels in commercial marine applications.
- Enable technical synergies, efficiencies, and scaling by defining technical requirements and guidelines for interoperability and harmonizing technologies for marine shore power.
The marine industry is transforming towards e-mobility as part of its commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. With increasing global demand for cleaner energy solutions, the adoption of electric propulsion systems across ferries, tugboats, supply vessels, workboats, pleasure vessels, feeders, and river barges is rapidly gaining momentum. Beyond e-vessels, CharIN will also focus on the electrification of harbour infrastructure like top loaders, forklifts, straddle carriers, material handling carriers, or cranes to create a fully electrified ecosystem in the marine sector.
This shift requires advanced charging infrastructure and standardized interoperability to ensure seamless integration within maritime networks. By embracing electric power, the sector can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and decrease reliance on fossil fuels. Integrating sustainable technologies and global collaboration will be crucial to achieving the industry's sustainability goals and fostering a cleaner, more efficient maritime transport system.
CharIN has established a Task Force for the Maritime Sector.
In June 2025, CharIN officially launched its new Task Force Marine, dedicated to ensuring the standardized use of the Combined Charging System (CCS) and Megawatt Charging System (MCS) and identifying gaps in standards through industry-aligned system-level charging specifications and definitions, implementation guides, best practices, and interoperability product certification.
The Use Case & Operations Subgroup launched. Mapping charging needs across vessel types (AC, CCS, MCS).
Next up: additional Marine Subgroups will kick-off of the Port Electrification Subgroup, focusing on synergies between ports, utilities, and technology providers.
The MCS Vessels funding from MARAD expired at the end of 2024. Having achieved the objectives of the MCS Vessels Project, CharIN now seeks to advance this effort in collaboration with the broader maritime industry to advance global standards development.
Task Force Marine Members
(Incomplete list of current task force members, in alphabetical order)
Interested in Joining the Task Force?
Watch the Videos of our Marine Workshop Series
In 2024, industry stakeholders gathered in a series of workshops to address the challenges and opportunities of integrating electric propulsion systems and charging solutions within the marine sector. These discussions focused on the need for a unified charging solution to support the transition to greener vessels. This initiative is crucial for advancing the electrification of the marine industry and facilitating the shift toward more sustainable, environmentally friendly vessels.
CharIN Position in the Marine Sector
Driving Global Alignment for Electric Marine Charging
As maritime transport begins its transition toward electrification, CharIN plays a leading role in ensuring that this evolution is built on open, interoperable, and globally aligned charging standards. Drawing on our experience in road transport, we actively promote the Combined Charging System (CCS) and the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) – based on ISO 15118-20 – as the foundation for electric and hybrid marine vessels.
One Standard, Multiple Applications
For recreational boats and smaller vessels, CCS provides the ideal solution. With power levels up to 350 kW, it meets operational needs while leveraging existing public charging networks and home charging infrastructure. This approach enables cost-effective electrification – particularly for smaller ports and island nations – and prevents market fragmentation.
MCS delivers the required performance for high-power applications, including parallel charging with up to 12 MW for commercial and large vessels. MCS also shares infrastructure with heavy-duty road transport, ensuring cross-modal interoperability and reducing infrastructure and maintenance costs.
Ensuring Interoperability and Efficiency
CharIN’s approach goes beyond technology. Through our Marine Task Force, we bring together shipbuilders, port operators, utilities, and technology providers to:
- Promote CCS, MCS, and ISO 15118-20 as global standards for marine charging.
- Share best practices and implementation experiences.
- Coordinate CharIN’s representation in international standardization bodies such as IEC 80005.
- Safeguard interoperability and prevent the emergence of competing, non-aligned standards.
Enabling Innovation and New Business Models
ISO 15118-20 also enables Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functionality, allowing vessels to feed energy back into the grid when idle – opening new opportunities for grid support and revenue generation.
Our Vision
By leading the adoption of CCS and MCS in the marine industry, CharIN aims to ensure that electric marine transport evolves with the same interoperability, cost efficiency, and global alignment achieved in the automotive sector.
Let’s Shape the Future of Electric Marine Charging: Work with international stakeholders to define open, interoperable charging solutions for vessels worldwide. Your expertise can help build a global standard that drives efficiency and innovation across the marine sector.
Get involved and contact Semih Tetik, CharIN Lead of the Marine Task Force, via semih.tetik@charin.global.
