In a significant step toward maritime decarbonization, Tokyo Kisen and Marindows have launched what is being called Japan’s “first” project to develop a pure battery-powered electric tugboat. This project aligns with Japan’s Carbon Neutral Port (CNP) policy, which aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its ports. The new vessel is planned to operate in the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki.
Project Details and Timeline
The all-electric harbor tugboat is expected to have a total propulsion power of 3,000 kW, provided by lithium-ion batteries, and is projected to reach a speed of 14 knots. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028, with the vessel becoming operational by 2030. The project builds on Tokyo Kisen’s prior experience with electric-powered tugboats, including the “Taiga,” a hybrid electric tug with a 2,486 kWh battery that entered service in 2023.
Japan’s Broader Decarbonization Efforts
This project is part of a larger push by Japan’s public and private sectors to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Net Zero Framework (NZF). With one of the world’s largest fleets and a significant shipbuilding industry, Japan is a major player in global maritime transport. The government has initiated a national project to create a zero-emission coastal shipping industry, focusing on the engineering and deployment of zero-emission ships over the next five years. Other recent developments include the launch of an all-electric tanker by Asahi Tanker in 2021 and a battery-powered work vessel by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) in May 2025. These efforts demonstrate a clear focus on electrification and automation as key strategies for achieving climate neutrality in the shipping industry.
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Source: Offshore Energy
