First fully electric tugboat project launched in Japan

Tugboat operator Tokyo Kisen, in partnership with software company Marindows, has introduced a fully electric harbour tugboat project in Japan.

IMAGE: Tokyo Kisen’s fully electric harbour tugboat concept. Tokyo Kisen

A harbour tugboat is a small vessel used to assist ships in docking, undocking and maneuvering within a port or harbour.

Although the immediate impact that this small-scale electric vessel will have on global greenhouse gas emissions might be limited, the vessel holds significance as it provides crucial technical and operational insights that can inform the development of larger-scale electric vessels in the future.

The project represents Japan’s first development of a purely battery-powered electric harbour tugboat, according to a joint statement from the companies.

The vessel will run entirely on lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries with a capacity of 6.66 megawatt-hours (MWh) and is scheduled to begin commercial operations by 2030.

Once delivered, it will operate between the Japanese ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki.

The company has not revealed further details about the project, including the vessel’s builder.

By Tuhin Roy

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