Barrus, a UK importer and distributor of marine equipment, has launched a joint venture with Hybrid Marine to create a new hybrid propulsion system company, Hybrid Marine International.

Since 2010, Barrus and Hybrid Marine have been working together in the development of hybrid propulsion systems based on Yanmar marine diesel engines, a global standard in sail boat and small craft propulsion.

This joint venture takes the firms’ 14-year partnership to the next level in the drive to support the UK government’s strategic vision for a clean maritime sector in the UK by 2050.

“We are pleased to announce this joint venture, delivering on our commitment to support green marine power expectations,” says Graham Knox, chief executive of Barrus. “Hybrid Marine International has been established to design, manufacture and sell hybrid propulsion systems for applications including inland canal boats, commercial barges and sailing boats. The joint venture cements our successful collaboration thus far, and we look forward to working together to unlock the potential of our combined expertise.”

Hybrid Marine has been developing advanced hybrid systems since 2002, pioneered by hybrid development engineer Graeme Hawksley. The company says it was the first in the world to introduce a production parallel hybrid system to the marine sector.

Hybrid Marine’s customer base includes UK canal boatbuilders, European commercial craft operators and luxury catamaran builders, including Antares Catamarans, Max Cruise Marine, and Hudson Yacht Group.

“When we first started investigating marine hybrids, the market for these systems did not exist,” says Hawksley. “Apart from a few early adopters, hybrids were viewed as blue sky products for the future rather than now. Finally, in 2024, ‘the future is now!'”

“Our next stage on the journey is to scale up to meet the demand we have helped to generate. Hybrid Marine and Barrus both have considerable experience in hybrid systems. The natural next step is to combine forces, and I am delighted to be part of this new and exciting joint venture.”

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