Seven Japanese companies announced the establishment of the “e5Consortium” – an industry group with the goal of establishing new ocean shipping infrastructure services through various initiatives to develop, realise, and commercialise zero-emission electric vessels
The consortium’s aim is to establish a platform that offers innovative ocean shipping infrastructure services based on electric vessels. In the first phase of the project, the consortium plans to launch the world’s first zero-emission electric tanker powered by large-capacity lithium ion batteries, in March 2022.
The Group said that Japan’s coastal shipping sector faces structural issues such as a shortage of mariners due to the aging of the seagoing workforce and aging vessels. In addition, the coastal shipping industry is under pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as Japan’s seeks to address climate change. The group said its members are focusing their attention on developing the potential of electric vessels to help in addressing these problems.
In 2019 consortium member Asahi Tanker and Exeno-Yamamizu Corporation jointly developed the ’e5’ tanker design which incorporates zero emission electric propulsion. Earlier this year Asahi Tankers said it would build two fully electric powered zero-emission tankers. Construction on the marine fuel supply vessels will commence at an unnamed Japanese shipyard mid-2020. Delivery of the first tanker is scheduled for March 2022 and the second in March 2023.
The consortium’s member corporations are Asahi Tanker, Idemitsu Kosan, Exeno-Yamamizu Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, Tokyo Electric Power Company, and Mitsubishi Corporation.
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