Tokyo Kisen Co., Ltd. and e5 Lab, Inc. today announced that on May 26, Tokyo Kisen held a christening and launching ceremony for the Taiga electric tug, currently under construction at Kanagawa Dockyard Co., Ltd.

The Taiga is powered by an electric propulsion system that combines large capacity lithium-ion batteries developed by e5Lab and a diesel engine. It is an eco-vessel designed to protect the environment in the areas surrounding the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki, as well as a crew-friendly tug, not only achieving low emissions/ zero CO2, NOx, SOx and particulate matter (PM) from the ship, but also reducing noise and vibration for a better working environment.

IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd. participated in the development of the tug as a system integrator and supplier of the vessel’s electric propulsion system. The Taiga is the first tug to adopt IHI Power Systems’ L-Drive propulsion system. The system also marks the first use of ABB’s DC grid in Japan. In combination with the high-capacity lithium-ion batteries, it offers greater efficiency than conventional electric propulsion systems. In addition, it can be upgraded for even greater energy efficiency by analyzing important parameters such as lithium-ion battery charge-discharge power and propulsion motor power, as well as motor fuel consumption. diesel.

The project team also collaborated with OSD-IMT, a company of the Damen Shipyard group (Netherlands), for the design of the tug to improve the operational performance of the crew as well as the living environment. In recognition of these advancements, the tug construction project was adopted as the Grant Project “Use of AI/IoT, etc. and Grant for More Efficient Transportation Promotion Project (Demonstration Projects of Innovative Operational Efficiency of Coastal Vessels)” by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Industry (METI) and Natural Resources and Energy Agency.

Initially, the team considered fitting the tug with hydrogen fuel cells to improve environmental performance and conducted a risk assessment (HAZID analysis) in cooperation with project partners, but decided not to adopt the Battery.

The Taiga is expected to be completed in December 2022 and will mainly operate in the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki as a harbor tug after delivery. In addition, the installation of power supply equipment on a floating jetty designed specifically for the Taiga will be completed when the tugboat is commissioned. Tokyo Kisen contributes to the decarbonization of ports and harbors by reducing the environmental impact of tugboats, aiming for sustainable growth for the tugboat business. The Taiga is the second eco-friendly tug, after the Ginga, a diesel-electric hybrid harbor tug that was launched in the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki on September 30, 2013.

e5 Lab will achieve a sustainable shipping business through its initiatives to address the pressing issues facing coastal shipping – improving the working environment of crew members and protecting the global environment – through the development of advanced ships that adopt electric propulsion technology. The company continuously contributes to Japan, both socially and economically, by providing safer and better transportation services.