Concept tug to be powered by battery, hydrogen fuel cell

764cd8b8 2171 418a A866 28ceea8a5568

The following is text of a news release from Tokyo Kisen Co. Ltd.:

(YOKOHAMA, Japan) — Japanese tug operator Tokyo Kisen and shipping solutions provider e5 Lab Inc. have jointly developed the new concept “e5 Tug,” an electric propulsion harbor tugboat powered by a large-capacity battery and a hydrogen fuel cell.

The e5 Tug will be fully electrified and is designed to minimize its environmental footprint. It will be equipped with a propulsion system running on the e5 powertrain platform” devised by e5 Lab, which utilizes a large-capacity battery system as a main power source and a hydrogen fuel cell and generator as the auxiliary power source.

This electric propulsion system will ensure sufficient bollard pull and continuous cruising time necessary for a harbor tugboat. Furthermore, CO2 emissions will be minimized by incorporating a fuel cell.

This joint project is drawing upon knowledge and experience of Tokyo Kisen as a tugboat operator, and e5 Lab is undertaking concept planning and development, design, and project management.

The partners will proceed with the project by seeking advice from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, ClassNK, and others for the regulatory compliance. After the final investment decision, they aim to launch the tug for commercial operations at Yokohama Port and Kawasaki Port in 2022.

The tug will have two 1,500-kW azimuth thrusters, 50 tons of towing power, and a service speed of 14 knots.

By Professional Mariner Staff