Sarawak Advances Green River Transport with SEB Electric Boat
KUCHING, 21 October 2026: Sarawak is taking another step towards greener water transportation with the handover of a Boat Licence and River Transport Permit (RTP) to Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) for its solar-supplemented electric boat.
Minister for Transport Sarawak, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said the initiative reflected the state’s commitment to promoting cleaner technologies and exploring sustainable solutions for its extensive network of rivers and waterways. He said rivers remained an important transportation link, particularly for communities in rural and remote areas, making it necessary for Sarawak to explore opportunities to introduce green technology into the water transportation sector.
“The handover marks another step towards introducing cleaner technology into Sarawak’s water transportation sector,” he said.
The 10-metre electric boat, equipped with twin 40-kilowatt electric motors, a 92-kilowatt-hour battery system and 3.6-kilowatt-peak rooftop solar panels, has an estimated operating range of 40 to 50 kilometres and can operate for approximately three to four hours.
The vessel will be deployed at the Batang Ai reservoir to support dam safety inspections, environmental monitoring, personnel transportation and visits to SEB’s floating solar farm.
Its rooftop solar panels supplement battery charging during operation, while the batteries can also be recharged using the electricity grid. The electric-powered vessel produces zero direct exhaust emissions and reduces reliance on conventional marine fuels.
Lee said the project built on Sarawak’s earlier E-Penambang initiative and provided valuable opportunities to evaluate electric vessel technology, including its performance, operational reliability, charging requirements and maintenance needs under local conditions. He added that the experience gained from such projects could help guide the development of future electric water transportation solutions in the state. The initiative also highlights the role of Sarawak’s local marine industry, with the boat built and assembled in Sibu, while SEB was responsible for integrating the electric propulsion system and related electrical components.
According to Lee, the collaboration demonstrated the potential to combine Sarawak’s established boatbuilding capabilities with emerging electric propulsion technologies, creating opportunities for local industry participation as demand for cleaner marine transportation grows. He stressed that safety and regulatory compliance must remain a priority as new technologies are introduced into the sector.
The Ministry of Transport Sarawak would continue working closely with Jabatan Laut Malaysia Wilayah Sarawak, the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) and other relevant agencies to ensure electric vessels meet the necessary maritime safety, licensing and operational requirements. Lee said the suitability of electric vessels for wider use would depend on factors such as operating range, charging infrastructure, river conditions, passenger safety and cost-effectiveness.
While the SEB electric boat is currently intended for specific operational purposes at Batang Ai, he said the experience gained could help determine its potential for other suitable applications in the future.
He congratulated SEB on the initiative and thanked the relevant agencies for their cooperation in facilitating the issuance of the Boat Licence and River Transport Permit.
He said the project represented more than a regulatory milestone, serving as another step in Sarawak’s efforts to introduce cleaner and more innovative technologies into its water transportation sector.
