New marine battery uses immersion cooling for 2x energy density and fire safety

Taiwanese battery maker XING Mobility has unveiled a marine battery system that uses liquid cooling to keep individual battery cells safer while delivering high power for electric vessels. The firm introduced its IMMERSIO CTP system at SMM Hamburg 2026, positioning it for ships that need compact, high-performance energy storage. The system uses an immersion-cooling design in which every battery cell is submerged in a dielectric coolant. The liquid does not conduct electricity while drawing heat directly away from the cells. This approach is designed to control heat buildup during demanding operation and reduce the risk of thermal runaway spreading from one cell to another. XING says the cell-to-pack architecture can deliver up to twice the energy density of conventional marine batteries. Higher energy density means more stored energy can fit into the same amount of space, potentially leaving more room on a vessel for passengers, cargo or additional range. The battery is also designed to provide continuous 3C power, supporting the high-rate discharge and rapid charging needed by fast-transit vessels. Its dimensions and capacity can be scaled for different hull sizes, which XING says could reduce the engineering work required to adapt battery systems to different electric ships. Liquid cooling tackles heat Thermal management is a major engineering challenge for lithium-ion batteries, particularly when cells are repeatedly charged and discharged at high rates. Heat can affect performance and, in severe cases, trigger thermal runaway, a chain reaction in which a battery cell rapidly overheats and can ignite. With IMMERSIO CTP, the coolant surrounds each cell rather than relying on cooling components positioned around groups of cells. XING says this direct contact helps remove heat at the source while actively suppressing thermal runaway and preventing fire propagation between cells. The architecture also combines cooling, safety and packaging in a cell-to-pack configuration. By removing some intermediate structures found in conventional battery packs, cell-to-pack designs can increase the proportion of a pack occupied by active battery material. For marine applications, that packaging advantage can be significant. Battery systems compete for limited onboard space with propulsion equipment, fuel systems, passenger areas and cargo. A more compact battery can therefore provide practical benefits beyond simply increasing energy density. From prototypes to waters XING is not presenting the marine system as laboratory-only technology. Its immersion-cooled batteries are already being used in vessels, according to the company. The zero-emission Porrima P111, launched in Taiwan, uses an IMMERSIO battery system and has operated in open-ocean conditions. XING also says an IMMERSIO system has been integrated into a new vessel from Austrian electric-boat specialist Smart IQ, with commissioning and system-integration testing completed in April 2026. The company says the new marine-ready IMMERSIO CTP builds on technology it has developed for other demanding applications, including commercial vehicles, agricultural machinery and energy storage. XING began with battery development for Taiwan’s MISS R electric supercar and later expanded its immersion-cooling technology. In 2024, it established what it describes as the world’s first mass-production facility for immersion-cooled battery systems. The company is now targeting maritime electrification, where batteries must deliver high power in a confined space while meeting strict safety requirements. By combining direct liquid cooling with a compact cell-to-pack design, IMMERSIO CTP is aimed at making electric vessels more practical without sacrificing power or safety.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.