Cimolai Technology and the Full-Electric Shift Rising Interest in Electric Boat Handling

Across the marine sector, interest in electric boat-handling solutions is gaining momentum. Private owners, shipyards, boatyards, charter operators, and maritime transport providers increasingly view electric systems as solid, future-proof alternatives to traditional diesel–hydraulic machinery. This shift is being accelerated by rapid advances in battery and motor technologies, tightening emissions regulations, and a broader environmental awareness permeating the industry. Efficiency, sustainability, and regulatory alignment are now core drivers of decision-making.

A Portfolio of Electric Lifting and Transport Solutions

Cimolai Technology has been responding to this evolution with a full range of customized lifting machines on tyres — mobile boat hoists, mobile boat trolleys, and straddle carriers — engineered for marinas, shipyards, and multiple industrial sectors.

Over the past year, the company’s transition from hydraulic to fully electric architecture has delivered meaningful, measurable progress:

• Superior maneuverability enabled by smooth, consistent motion. Without dependency on diesel RPM or oil temperature, the machine’s movements become linear, precise, and highly repeatable.

• Greater reliability in movement control thanks to advanced electrical systems that outperform traditional hydraulic components.

• Higher efficiency—90–95% versus the 55–60% typical of hydraulic equipment.

• Regenerative energy recovery in fully electric Mobile Boat Hoists, converting braking energy during load-lowering into battery recharge.

These advancements are shaping a new standard for performance, control, and energy management.

Electric Deliveries in Service

Cimolai Technology has already deployed a significant number of electric machines—including boat hoists and straddle carriers—for both marine and industrial use. The company’s Electric Straddle Carriers, available in capacities from 25 to 1500 tons, demonstrate the scalability of its electric platform and its suitability for a wide spectrum of operational demands.

Every electric unit carries the same design philosophy:

• Zero emissions at point of use

• Low noise levels for safer, more comfortable working environments

• High energy efficiency

• Reduced maintenance thanks to the absence of pumps, filters, hydraulic motors, fittings, and oil-related interventions

This commitment aligns engineering excellence with environmental responsibility, reinforcing a cleaner and quieter future for heavy lifting and transport.

While enthusiasm is strong, one key reservation remains: initial cost. Fully electric machines currently require a higher upfront investment than standard diesel–hydraulic alternatives. However, as technology matures and production scales increase, this cost gap is expected to narrow. Importantly, operational expenditure already favors electric: maintenance costs are substantially lower, and the elimination of hydraulic fluids reduces both downtime and environmental risk.

The Decade Ahead

The electric hoist market is poised for steady, long-term growth, and Cimolai Technology’s fully electric product line stands at the crossroads of engineering innovation and environmental progress. Automation, stricter safety frameworks, and the global shift toward energy-optimized operations will continue to redefine expectations across shipyards, construction, manufacturing, and logistics.

Government incentives promoting the replacement of diesel-powered machinery will likely accelerate adoption. Meanwhile, digitalization—remote monitoring, smart diagnostics, and predictive maintenance—will become integral, making electric hoists safer, more integrated, and more efficient than ever before.