Japan to begin development of its 'first' fully battery-powered tugboat

Japanese tugboat services provider Tokyo Kisenand compatriot marine software developer Marindows have kick-started what is being hailed as Japan’s “first” pure battery-powered EV harbor tugboat development project.

As disclosed, the electric harbor tugboat is set to be operated in the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki, with the goal of contributing to the ports’ net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target(s), in accordance with the Japanese government’s Carbon Neutral Port (CNP) policy.

The construction of the ship is anticipated to commence in 2028, while the tug should become operational by 2030.

Per a joint statement of Tokyo Kisen and Marindows, the vessel is going to be powered by lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which could bring a total propulsion power of 3,000kW. The tug is expected to achieve a speed of 14 knots.

The project is said to build on two and a half years of working on related projects concerning electric-powered tugs. In January 2023, Yokohama-headquartered Tokyo Kisen put Taiga into service, the inaugural series hybrid electric-powered tugboat fitted with a ‘large capacity’ 2,486 kWh battery.

Taiga was the result of