# Seatrium secures major Whale Class Powership conversion contract - **Source:** https://pelavox.com/seatrium-secures-major-whale-class-powership-conversion-contract/ - **Publisher:** pelavox. (The voice of shipping) - **Author:** Helena Pierce - **Published:** 2026-10-25T02:00:00+00:00 - **Updated:** 2026-10-23T09:23:34+00:00 - **Section:** General - **Type:** News - **Topics:** Floating Power, Hydrogen, Karpowership, Marine Engineering, Powerships, Seatrium, Ship Conversion, Shipyards, Singapore, Whale Class Seatrium Limited has secured a contract from Karpowership for the major conversion and integration of five third-generation Whale Class Powerships, strengthening the companies’ longstanding cooperation in floating energy infrastructure. The agreement covers the development and conversion of Karpowership’s next-generation floating power vessels, which are designed to provide electricity directly to national power grids. The project represents Seatrium’s first major conversion and integration contract involving the Whale Class, building on its previous work with Karpowership in floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) conversions. Engineering activities are already underway, with the first vessel in the series targeted to arrive at Seatrium’s Tuas Boulevard Yard in Singapore in December 2027. The companies have not disclosed the contract value or a schedule for the completion and delivery of all five vessels. ## Conversion works to support next-generation Powerships Under the contract, Seatrium will carry out major vessel conversion activities, equipment integration, mechanical completion and pre-commissioning works. The scope combines marine engineering and the integration of onboard power generation systems, supporting Karpowership’s development of its third-generation Whale Class fleet. The vessels are designed as floating power plants equipped with hydrogen-ready, multi-fuel generation systems and integrated onboard substations. These substations enable the vessels to connect directly to national electricity grids and supply power where additional generation capacity is required. According to Karpowership, its plug-and-play Powership concept can begin generating electricity in as little as 30 days. The Whale Class represents the company’s highest-capacity Powership design, engineered to provide up to 600 MW of grid-ready electricity. The stated capacity and deployment capabilities describe the vessel design and Karpowership’s operating concept rather than verified performance from the five vessels covered by the new contract. Alvin Gan, Executive Vice President, Repairs and Upgrades at Seatrium, described the agreement as an important milestone in the company’s cooperation with Karpowership. “This significant milestone marks Seatrium’s first major conversion work and integration of Karpowership’s Whale Class Powerships,” said Gan. He added that the project would draw on Seatrium’s capabilities in complex vessel integration and offshore engineering as Karpowership advances the next phase of its fleet development. ## Agreement follows earlier letter of intent The new contract follows a Letter of Intent signed by Seatrium and Karpowership in August 2025. That earlier arrangement covered three potential FSRU conversions and the possible integration of up to six new-generation Powerships. The latest announcement confirms a contract for the conversion and integration of five Whale Class vessels, marking a further step in the companies’ cooperation. Seatrium and Karpowership established their strategic relationship in 2018, initially developing their cooperation through FSRU conversion projects. Since then, Seatrium has completed and delivered seven FSRU conversions for Karpowership. The Singapore-based group also secured an eighth and ninth FSRU conversion project during 2026. The latest agreement extends the relationship into a new generation of floating power infrastructure, with Seatrium taking responsibility for major conversion and integration work on the Whale Class vessels. Gokhan Kocak, Chief Technical Operations Officer at Karpowership, said the new-generation Powerships reflect the company’s continued focus on operational development and energy security. “We are pleased to build on our strong partnership with Seatrium, whose proven expertise in complex vessel integration make them an ideal partner,” said Kocak. ## Floating power infrastructure and future fuel flexibility Karpowership’s Powership model is based on vessels equipped with power generation systems that can be connected to electricity networks without the construction of a conventional land-based power plant. The company describes the Whale Class as its highest-capacity Powership design, combining substantial electricity generation capability with an onboard configuration intended to support continuous fuel supply. The vessels’ hydrogen-ready, multi-fuel systems are intended to provide flexibility in fuel selection as power generation requirements and technologies evolve. However, the announcement does not specify that the five vessels will operate on hydrogen when deployed. For Seatrium, the contract adds a new series of conversion and integration projects to its existing relationship with Karpowership. The first vessel’s planned arrival in Singapore in December 2027 represents a project milestone rather than a confirmed commissioning or delivery date. With engineering already underway, the agreement establishes the scope of work for five Whale Class Powerships while extending a partnership that has developed through successive floating energy infrastructure projects since 2018. --- Cite as: "Seatrium secures major Whale Class Powership conversion contract", pelavox., 25 October 2026, https://pelavox.com/seatrium-secures-major-whale-class-powership-conversion-contract/