Singapore-based Seatrium will convert five next-generation Whale Class floating power plants for Turkish operator Karpowership, each with a capacity of up to 600 MW, and work has already begun.
Arrival and preparation of the first hull
Engineering work has already started, and the first hull is scheduled to arrive at the Tuas Boulevard Yard shipyard in December 2027. There the power equipment will be installed, mechanical systems finalised, and tests conducted prior to commissioning.
The vessels are designed for modular connection to onshore substations, so after arrival and checks they are expected to be connected to power grids in roughly 30 days.
Capacity, fuels and power transmission
The Whale Class will be the largest development in its category: each vessel will be able to deliver up to 600 MW of power, which the companies estimate is enough to supply hundreds of thousands of homes, although the actual number depends on energy consumption.
The power plants are designed to run on multiple fuels: conventional marine fuel, natural gas and hydrogen blends, and switching between them does not require modifications to the hull. Substations will also be installed onboard to step up the voltage to levels suitable for onshore transmission; environmental performance will depend on the chosen fuel and operating mode.
History of the collaboration and contract logistics
The companies have been working together since 2018: during that time the yard has built seven floating storage and regasification units for the Turkish operator, and two more similar vessels are already in the order book.
The current contract builds on an agreement announced in August 2025: at that time a letter of intent was signed to convert three gas units and integrate up to six new floating power plants, and five Whale Class vessels have moved into the implementation phase. Alvin Gan, executive vice-president for repair and modernisation, said the project will require complex equipment integration to supply electricity across different countries.
