K Line To Construct Battery Powered Electric Tugboat

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) announced that the group company, SEAGATE CORPORATION CO., LTD.(SGC), will build new electric tugboat powered by battery.

The new Tugboat is equipped with a propulsion system running on “Hybrid EV system”. It has electric motor as a main power source running by large capacity lithium-ion battery charged by land charger. It also equipped generator as the auxiliary power source.

The Tugboat will be first Tugboat which has electric motor as a main power source in Tokuyama and will be deployed in the first half of 2025 to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in Tokuyama area.

Hybrid EV System Layout — Credits: K LINE

In the future, it will be possible to achieve zero emissions by replacing the fuel for the generator with zero emission energy.

In last November, “K” LINE has revised a part of our long term environmental guideline “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050” (Note 2) and set our new target for 2050 as “The challenge of Achieving Net-Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions”. While public attention to the greenhouse gas emissions including from shipping is becoming increasing, “K” LINE will strive to enhance our corporate value by contributing to the sustainable development of the economy and society, while protecting the environment through our business activities.

Reference: K LINE