Asahi Tanker joins Maritime Battery Forum

Asahi Tanker, the Japanese tanker owner that built the world’s first two all-electric tankers, has joined a coalition supporting the electrification of maritime vessels.

As a new member of the Maritime Battery Forum (MBF), Asahi said its aim is to "contribute to the realisation of a decarbonised society".

"Through its MBF membership, Asahi Tanker seeks inspiration, technical exchange and collaborative opportunities that will help refine and expand its initiatives. The company views battery-electric propulsion as a powerful and concrete option to reduce environmental impact, ease the workload on seafarers, and support global decarbonisation goals," Asahi said.

Asahi Tanker is known for having developed and deployed the world’s first fully battery-powered coastal oil tankers, which provide bunkering operations in Japan.

Asahi was the first of two all-electric vessels to be built from the e5 Lab initiative and went into service in bunkering operations in Tokyo Bay in 2022.

A year later, sister vessel Akari joined the Asahi fleet. On its launch in 2023, Asahi Tanker said Akari would conduct zero-emissions bunkering in Japan’s Keihin region.

Large-capacity lithium-ion batteries on the pair of Asahi tankers power every phase of their operations, eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. The vessels were built by KOA Industry Co and Imura Shipyard Co in Japan under the supervision of Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI).

KHI was awarded the contract for the ship’s propulsion system in September 2020 and utilised the 3,480-kWh Orca energy storage system from Corvus Energy to power the vessels.