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K Line subsidiary names biofuel tugboat
A Japanese shipyard has launched the nation’s first tug featuring a biofuel blender and an ultrasonic hull anti-fouling system for sustainable ship towage
A subsidiary of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has named Japan’s first tug featuring a biofuel blender and ultrasonic hull anti-fouling system after its launch at Kanagawa Dockyard.
Bisan Maru will be outfitted at the shipyard before being deployed by Seagate Corp at the Port of Mizushima in Okayama Prefecture in August 2026.
It is equipped with a conventional diesel engine propulsion system using marine fuel oil, but it is the first Japanese tugboat to have a biofuel blender and an ultrasonic hull anti-fouling system to reduce CO2 emissions from manoeuvring and docking ships.
Imabari-headquartered Comhira supplied the equipment for blending marine fuel oil and biofuel at a ratio of choice between 0% and 100%. This paves the way for the stable production of fuel that includes biofuel, even where blended biofuel is in short supply for the tug.
Tokyo-based M-Sat supplied the anti-fouling system, which uses ultrasonic waves to hinder marine organisms’ adhesion to the hull to mitigate the deterioration of fuel efficiency due to hull fouling.
A similar system will be installed on a battery-hybrid tug that is scheduled for completion at the shipyard in 2027.
Both tugs were built and will be deployed as part of K Line’s Environmental Vision 2050 and Blue Seas for the Future programmes to cut emissions from ship handling in Japanese ports.
“As part of our action plan to reduce greenhouse gases, we are engaged in a number of initiatives, for instance introducing zero-emissions fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen fuels, and carbon-neutral fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic fuels,” said K Line.
“The group will continue to work together to promote initiatives toward low-carbon and decarbonised operations.”
Seagate ordered the electric-powered tugboat from Kanagawa in September 2025 to handle ships at the Port of Tokuyama-Kudamatsu in Yamaguchi prefecture in 2027, when completed. It will have a large-capacity lithium-ion battery package supported by a generator set as back-up, ready to power electric motors on two azimuth thrusters, plus a current control system and switchboards.
The 28th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, in association with Caterpillar, 19-21 May 2026. Use this link for more details of this industry event and the associated social and networking opportunities.
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