Ghostworks Marine: The Maverick Shipbuilders Reinventing Electric Vessels for a Zero-Emission Future

27 Sep 2025

Ghostworks Marine: The Maverick Shipbuilders Reinventing Electric Vessels for a Zero-Emission Future

By EVWorld.com Si Editorial Team

The Ghostworks M40 is a carbon fiber, high-speed vessel built on the M-Hull platform for zero-emission military and commercial operations.

By EVWorld.com Si Editorial Team

In an industry often anchored in tradition, Ghostworks Marine is charting a bold new course. Based in Holland, Michigan, this boutique maritime design firm is redefining what zero-emission vessels can be - blending elite racing pedigree, cutting-edge naval architecture, and disruptive innovation to deliver high-performance electric boats for commercial, military, and public transit use.

Founded by CEO Patricia “Brooke” Kerschbaumer, Ghostworks Marine is more than just a manufacturer—it’s a collective of “misfits and mavericks,” as their website proudly declares. The team includes world-class boatbuilders, naval architects, ocean engineers, and subject matter experts, many of whom cut their teeth in competitive yacht racing and high-performance marine design. Their shared ethos: build vessels that are not only sustainable, but also fast, stable, and elegant.

Ghostworks first made waves with its acquisition of the intellectual property portfolio from M Ship Co., a company founded by former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Charles “Chuck” Robinson. M Ship was known for its revolutionary M-Hull technology, which was famously implemented in the M80 Stiletto—a stealthy, high-speed prototype still in use by the U.S. Navy nearly two decades after its launch. In 2022, Ghostworks partnered with Robinson’s daughter, Heather Robinson, to secure exclusive global rights to the M Ship portfolio, signaling their intent to revive and modernize these advanced designs.

Their first major project under this new banner is the M40, a carbon fiber vessel built on the M-Hull platform. Designed for both commercial and military applications, the M40 went from concept to completed sea trials in just six months—a blistering pace in naval manufacturing. The vessel is currently touring the East Coast, with stops in Annapolis, Virginia Beach, Charleston, Port Canaveral, and the Florida Keys, showcasing its capabilities to defense officials, transit agencies, and potential buyers.

The M40 is more than a proof of concept—it’s a statement. With its lightweight composite construction, advanced hydrodynamics, and zero-emission propulsion, the vessel exemplifies Ghostworks’ commitment to performance and sustainability. It’s also a glimpse into the future of Department of Defense shipbuilding, according to Michigan Congressman Bill Huizenga, who praised the company’s innovation and local impact.

But Ghostworks isn’t limiting its ambitions to military-grade vessels. The company is actively developing and deploying fully electric models designed for urban and commercial use. These include the ECTO-10, a zero-emission passenger vessel tailored for city transit, and the Minerva, a clean cargo vessel built for short-haul logistics. Both are equipped with electric propulsion systems and are eligible for California’s Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE)—a program administered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that offers financial incentives to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission marine technology.

CARB’s certification of Ghostworks vessels marks a strategic expansion for the company. While its engineering and manufacturing operations remain headquartered in Michigan, California now represents a major deployment frontier. With its aggressive climate goals and bustling coastal infrastructure, the state offers fertile ground for Ghostworks to scale its clean-tech solutions and support public agencies looking to decarbonize their fleets.

Looking ahead, Ghostworks plans to deepen its electrification efforts across both passenger and cargo platforms. Future models will incorporate modular battery systems, lightweight composite hulls, and advanced energy management software—allowing operators to optimize range, performance, and charging cycles. The company is also exploring hybrid-electric configurations for defense applications, where stealth and endurance are critical.

This dual-market strategy allows Ghostworks to serve inland and coastal operators, defense clients and transit agencies, all while maintaining its agile, innovation-first culture. Unlike legacy shipbuilders bogged down by bureaucracy and legacy systems, Ghostworks thrives on rapid prototyping, modular design, and creative problem-solving. Their approach allows them to deliver custom vessels at unprecedented speed, without sacrificing quality or safety.

As global demand for clean maritime transport grows, Ghostworks Marine is positioning itself as a leader in the electric vessel revolution. With deep technical expertise, a rebellious spirit, and a portfolio of proven innovations, they’re not just building boats—they’re building the future of waterborne mobility.