OSK Design joins the Maritime Battery Forum (MBF)to bring decades of ship design expertise and hands-on battery integration experience to maritime electrification
Norway, 6. May 2026 - The Maritime Battery Forum is thrilled to welcome OSK Design, an internationally recognised maritime design and consultancy firm, as the newest member of our global community of maritime battery enablers.
With a long-standing track record in advanced vessel design and early adoption of hybrid and electric propulsion systems, OSK Design strengthens MBF’s expertise in the practical integration of battery technologies into complex vessel designs.
With the rapid transition toward low and zero-emission operations, the ability to integrate battery systems effectively from the earliest design stages has become essential. OSK Design’s membership adds strong practical expertise in turning battery technologies into vessel solutions that meet operational demands, regulatory requirements, and commercial expectations.
Market Leader in Ship Design
OSK Design traces its origins back to 1966, when naval architect Ole Steen Knudsen began designing vessels in Denmark. Over the decades, the company has grown into a globally recognised design and consultancy partner, delivering bespoke ship designs to owners worldwide.
Today, OSK Design is widely regarded as a market leader in the design of large RoPax ferries, with an extensive portfolio of passenger and vehicle vessels operating under demanding environmental, operational, and regulatory conditions. The company also holds strong references within the offshore wind sector, where it supports the design and optimisation of vessels for renewable energy operations.
OSK Design brings together the expertise of four specialist entities. OSK ShipTech, OSK Offshore, Steen Friis Design, and Vertigo VR, offering a fully integrated approach covering ship design and engineering, offshore and specialised vessels, interior and passenger space design, and maritime business consultancy.
As of 2023, all activities are unified under the OSK Design brand, enabling a multidisciplinary approach that integrates engineering, design, and digital tools to optimise vessel performance, safety, and environmental impact. The company has consistently been at the forefront of implementing hybrid and fully electric propulsion systems, advanced energy management solutions, and data-driven design methodologies.
Newbuilds and Retrofits
OSK Design began working with maritime battery systems as early as 2015, supporting HH Ferries (now Øresundslinjen) in the early adoption and integration of battery solutions for passenger ferry operations. This early involvement positioned the company among the pioneers of ferry electrification in Europe.
Since then, battery and hybrid technologies have become a core element of OSK Design’s project portfolio, integrated across multiple vessel segments. The company’s experience spans both newbuilds and retrofits, enabling shipowners to transition toward cleaner operations while maintaining safety, reliability, and commercial viability.
Current Projects Driving Electrification
Today, battery systems are evaluated and integrated in the majority of OSK Design’s vessel projects where they are operationally and commercially relevant. This is particularly the case for passenger ferries, RoPax vessels, and offshore service vessels, where energy efficiency, redundancy, and operational reliability are key design drivers.
Among its current projects, OSK Design is involved in the development of new high-speed catamaran ferries for Molslinjen, operating on the Kattegat route. In addition, the company is supporting Øresundslinjen in the conversion of a third vessel to full electric operation on the Øresund route, further advancing one of Europe’s most prominent ferry electrification initiatives.
Several additional battery-related newbuild and conversion projects are currently underway or in development, reflecting the growing demand for integrated battery solutions across vessel types and markets.
Development through Training & Collaboration
OSK Design joined the Maritime Battery Forum to further strengthen its knowledge of battery technologies, safety concepts, and system integration practices. As a company actively designing vessels with integrated battery systems, access to shared industry experience, technical insights, and best practices is essential. The MBF provides a valuable platform for cross-segment knowledge exchange, enabling OSK Design to stay at the forefront of technological developments while expanding its global network.
The Forum also offers opportunities for competence development through training and collaboration, supporting both current and future engineering teams as the complexity of battery systems continues to evolve.
OSK Design brings extensive hands-on experience in the safe and efficient integration of battery systems across a wide range of vessel types. Its contribution is rooted in a holistic design approach, where battery technology is considered alongside vessel layout, operational profiles, safety philosophy, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle performance.
This system-level perspective allows OSK Design to provide practical insights into how battery systems can be integrated from the earliest design stages, ensuring vessels are not only compliant and efficient, but also future-proof and adaptable to evolving technologies. By sharing its experience across ferry and offshore segments, OSK Design will support MBF members in bridging the gap between conceptual battery solutions and real-world vessel implementation.
“The question is no longer whether vessels will be electrified, but whether they are designed intelligently around battery systems. When batteries drive design decisions from the earliest stages, they unlock not only lower emissions, but safer, smarter, and more robust ships.”
About the Maritime Battery Forum
The Maritime Battery Forum was founded with the aim of promoting new and efficient energy storage technologies in the maritime industry. With over 90 members across 3 continents, the MBF works to disseminate information, facilitate discussion, and accelerate the journey towards a zero-emission maritime future.
Contact :
Ayomide Miracle Salifu
Community & Communications Manager
Email: ayomidesalifu@maritimebatteryforum.com
Website: www.maritimebatteryforum.com
