MOL to develop zero emission vessels

Asahi Tanker Co. Ltd., Exeno Yamamizu Corporation, Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd. (MOL), and Mitsubishi Corporation have announced an agreement to create a strategic partnership to provide new infrastructure services in the marine shipping industry: fully-electric zero emission vessels. Their newly created company, e5 Lab. Inc. (e5 Lab) will work to develop and promote the greater use of these relatively clean modes of shipping.

There are a number of challenges facing Japan’s shipping industry that e5 Lab will address by consolidating the technologies, know-how, and networks of its four major shareholders. The new company will develop a platform to provide a service line that leverages electric-powered zero emission vessels and other cutting-edge technology. The goal is to leverage this platform to encourage sustainable growth and development within the shipping industry.

The company’s first objective will be to build the world’s first zero emission oil tanker by mid-2021. The tanker will be a large-capacity battery-powered coastal vessel and will operate in Tokyo Bay. The company will also develop other types of electric motor vessels.

In addition, e5 Lab will actively promote the electrification of coastal and oceanic vessels and will bring together the technology, human resources, and operational know-how needed to achieve the International Maritime Organization (IMO) GHG reduction target of 50% (IMO wants to see annual emissions fall to half of their 2008 levels by 2025).

“Tesla of ships” hits the seas by year’s end

With the same goal of avoiding the emission of pollutants, the Dutch Port-Liner is building two gigantic electric freighters, called the “Tesla of ships”. A company spokesman announced that the vessels will be ready by the Dutch fall and that their routes have already been scheduled.

The €100m project, which received a €7m grant from the European Union, is expected to have a significant impact on local maritime transport, which includes the ports of Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Rotterdam.

According to Port-Liner CEO Ton van Meegen: “There are about 7,300 vessels onshore across Europe and more than 5,000 are owned by businessmen from Belgium and the Netherlands. We can build over 500 a year, but at that rate, it would take about 50 years for the industry to operate on green energy. ”

The first six vessels are expected to pull 23,000 trucks annually from the roads of the Netherlands, providing a low environmental impact alternative.

In addition to Port-Liner building its vessels, it has also developed its own technology to accommodate batteries in a container. The Executive Director explains that “this allows us to modernize vessels that are already operational, which is an advance for the industry’s green energy credentials. The containers are loaded on land by supplier Eneco, which provides solar, renewable, and carbon-free energy. ”

The first ships will start sailing by the end of this year.

Sources: Dinheiro Vivo/Portugal and Hellenic Shipping News

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