Asahi Tanker Co., Ltd. announced that it has ordered two of the world’s first zero-emission electric-powered tankers.
The construction and delivery of both the tankers will be managed by Kawaski Heavy Industries, with one tanker vessel built at the Koa Sangyou shipyard Marugame, Japan and the second tanker vessel at Imura Zosen KK in Komatsushima, Japan. The delivey of both the tankers is expected by March 2022 and March 2023 respectively.
The two tankers will adopt the “e5 tanker” design developed by e5 Lab Inc. They will be powered completely by large-capacity lithium ion batteries and are slated to go into service as bunker vessels in Tokyo Bay.
The two tankers will achieve zero emissions of CO2, NOx, SOx, and particulates thanks to their all-electric core energy system, dramatically reducing their environmental impact. In addition, their reduced noise and vibration will create a more comfortable work environment for the crewmembers and limit noise pollution in the bay and its surroundings.
Adoption of various automated equipment and digital tools including Internet of Things (IoT) will reduce crews’ onboard workload and increase the ship’s operating efficiency.
The tankers will play a new role in contributing to measures for the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and Community Life Continuity Plan (LCP) in case of disaster or emergency, by making the electricity stored in their onboard batteries — defined as “large-capacity batteries for power supply in emergency”— available to supply emergency power. Asahi Tanker and TEPCO Energy Partner, Inc. are currently working on these initiatives.
Asahi Tanker and e5 Lab will realize a sustainable ocean shipping industry through efforts to improve the work environment for crewmembers, which is an urgent issue facing the coastal shipping sector, and global environmental protection through the development and introduction of these advanced ships.
Electric-powered tanker Specifications
Dimensions : LOA 62m / Breadth 10.30m / Draft 4.15m
Ship classification society : Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK)
Cargo : Fuel oil
Gross tonnage : 499 tons
Speed : About 10 knots
Cargo tank capacity : 1,280m3
Propulsion equipment : Azimuth thrusters 300kw x 2 / Side thrusters 68kw x 2
Battery capacity : 3,480kWh