Tokyo Kisen Co., Ltd. and Marindows Inc. have officially launched Japan’s first pure battery-powered EV harbor tugboat development project.
The EV harbor tugboat will operate in the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki and aims to contribute to “zero GHG emissions from the ports” in accordance with the Carbon Neutral Port (CNP) policy.
In January 2023, Tokyo Kisen put into service TAIGA — Japan’s first series-hybrid electric-powered tugboat equipped with a large-capacity 2,486 kWh battery. Building on two and a half years of operating experience with electric-powered tugs, this project is now advancing to the next stage in developing and constructing a pure battery-powered EV tugboat. The tugboat would combine a large-capacity onboard battery system (6.66 MWh) and MW-class fast chargers.
The project will span five years with detailed feasibility study and concept design in 2025, basic design in 2026, detailed design in 2027, construction of the vessel and fast-charging pier works starting in 2028, and commercial service at the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki starting in 2030.
Project and Vessel Overview
