Japanese company to build world’s first all-electric bunker tankers

Japanese shipping company Asahi Tanker has decided to build the world’s first two zero-emission electrically powered bunker tankers.

As informed, the newbuilds are planned to be delivered sequentially from March 2022 to March 2023 and will enter Tokyo Bay as marine fuel supply vessels.

The vessels are based on the “e5” design, incorporating five core elements — electrification, environment, economics, efficiency and evolution.

The design was provided by e5 Laboratories Inc., a company formed by Asahi Tanker, Exeno Yamamizu Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Mitsubishi Corporation in August last year. The partnership was established to provide infrastructure services related to electrically powered vessels.

Specifically, the tankers will be powered by high capacity lithium-ion batteries enabling the ships to achieve zero emissions. In addition, they will adopt various digital tools including automation equipment and the Internet of Things (IoT), aimed at improving operating efficiency and reducing crew workload.

To be classed by ClassNK, the ships will feature a length of 62 metres, a width of 10.3 metres and a cargo tank capacity of 1,300 cubic metres.