e5 Lab, MHI team up on hybrid electric ROBOSHIP for biomass fuel carrier

Tokyo-based firm e5 Lab Inc. and shipbuilder Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, have teamed up to design “ROBOSHIP”, a standard hybrid-electric propulsion vessel, for a 499-tonne biomass fuel carrier being built by Honda Heavy Industries.

As explained, the duo is seeking to promote ROBOSHIP as a vision for the future of ships.

The widespread adoption of the futuristic ROBOSHIP has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions in the coastal vessel industry, and lessen the workload for crews, according to the partners.

Specifically, ROBOSHIP utilizes a standard system package comprising the hardware for electric propulsion, including propellers, motors, switchboards, storage batteries, and generators, together with the software to safely and efficiently control this equipment. The system is able to handle a cargo ship of up to around 749 tonnes.

The ship foregoes conventional diesel engines that require fossil fuel in favor of a hybrid system of large-capacity storage batteries and generators to drive the propulsion motors. The adoption of Mitsubishi Shipbuilding’s twin skeg ship design lowers propulsion horsepower by more than 20%, reducing CO2 emissions during cruising, and allowing the ship to navigate completely CO2-free during port operations such as freight loading and unloading, pier docking and undocking, and entering or leaving port.

The generators are capable of switching between eco-friendly fuels including liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, ammonia, biofuel, and synthetic fuel, allowing all operations, including navigation, to be CO2-free.

Additional benefits of the system include reduced noise and vibration for greater comfort inside the vessel, less need for troublesome diesel engine maintenance by highly experienced and knowledgeable engineers, and improved steering capabilities that make pier docking and undocking operations easier, reducing the workload on the crew.

Furthermore, in the future, the mass production of ships equipped with this standardized system is expected to lower costs, which will accelerate the widespread adoption of electric propulsion vessels. As the use of such vessels becomes common, it will allow for the accumulation of feedback based on actual navigation to support the maintenance and improvement of system quality.

The vessel to be equipped with this system is being built by Honda Heavy Industries for Asahi Tanker Co., Ltd. After completion and handover in April 2023, the ship is expected to operate as a biomass carrier for Aioi Bioenergy Corporation.

It will also be equipped with the Marindows digital platform utilizing communications and digital technologies to support the digital transformation (DX) of the coastal vessel industry.

e5 Lab is a marine industry solutions provider, jointly established by four companies representing shipping firms and a trading company, to promote the electric propulsion and digitization of ships.

Its aim is to provide for the safe navigation of vessels, create a better work environment for the crew, and conserve the natural environment.

In March 2021, e5 Lab established Marindows to provide a marine digital platform to improve the work environment for crews.

Going forward, e5 Lab and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding aspire to be a solution provider for the issues facing the maritime industry, jointly creating value with stakeholders with an emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.