Imoto Lines & Marindows to launch zero-emission container ships by 2027

Japan’s coastal shipping company Imoto Lines has joined forces with compatriot marine digital platform Marindows, established in 2021 by e5 Lab Inc., to build the next generation of zero-emission domestic container ships capable of hybrid operation using Japan’s first exchangeable container batteries.

The vessels will also feature onboard batteries and generators and will undergo demonstration trials on Imoto’s Kobe to Hiroshima service.

The ambitious project, slated to run from April 2024 to March 2027, addresses three major challenges facing the Japanese maritime industry: decarbonization, crew shortages, and safe navigation. It has received backing from the Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan, which has adopted it as a three-year initiative under the ‘FY2024 Carbon Neutral Technology Research and Development Program’.

The primary objective is achieving well-to-wake zero-emission CO2 output as the ships will be running solely on renewable energy stored in container batteries, achieving zero emissions during operation and while docked at ports.

This initiative addresses the crucial need to reduce CO2 emissions in the supply chain (Scope 3), which is essential for global shippers’ competitiveness, especially considering that renewable energy use in ships remains in its nascent stages.

The Japanese shipping industry faces a critical shortage of skilled crew members. These vessels aim to navigate with fewer crew members, thanks to electrification, standardization, modularization, and land-based support.

Finally, through standardization, modularization, and mass production the project is expected to lower operating costs, ensuring competitive pricing compared to existing vessels. Additionally, thanks to a flexible design the ships will be able to integrate new technologies, thus minimizing the risk of technological obsolescence, the project developers said.

Namely, the ships will be ready for retrofitting with low environmental impact generators (such as hydrogen fuel cells or bio/synthetic fuels).

The construction of the 499 gross tonnage container ships, boasting a carrying capacity of about 200 TEU (the largest in Japan), is scheduled for completion in January 2027 at Miura Shipbuilding in Saiki City, Oita Prefecture.

The main dimensions of the ships include an overall length of 81m, breadth of 13.5m, and depth of 6.6m, with a speed of 12.5kn and propulsion power of 2 x 360kW.

The container ships will operate with a hybrid range of up to 2,700 miles and zero-emission capabilities, with a standard range of 180 miles using five container batteries.

Key technology development elements include an EV-optimized ship design, standardized and modularized universal plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, exchangeable 20-foot container battery system, next-generation cockpit system, mooring support system, land-based support system, and onshore-to-ship power supply system. Additionally, a battery charging and swapping system for container batteries will be implemented.

Imoto Lines and Marindows will serve as the technical development representatives and joint implementers for the project, overseeing the technical aspects of the initiative.