Japan is aiming to establish a national network of electric charging points for ships.
A consortium formed to take charge of the project includes Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, electrical tanker operator e5 Lab, the Development Bank of Japan, the Japan Ship Technology Research Association and others.
The Promotion Council for Zero Emission Chargers for Ships will start by installing prototype chargers at the ports of Hanshin and Keihin by 2025, before progressing towards establishing a network involving ports around the country.
The shore-to-ship power supply network will provide a cold ironing option to ships to reduce the amount of diesel burned at ports.
It will also provide an essential charging point for the expected growth in electric-powered coastal and fishing vessels.
Last year, e5 Lab took delivery of the 490-gt Asahi, the world’s first fully battery-powered tanker.
The vessel is being promoted as the future of coastal shipping in Japan.
The consortium is also part of a national strategy to achieve zero emissions by 2050.
“Ultimately, this will realise zero emissions from ships in port areas, the spread of [electric] ships, the expansion of renewable energy use and improvements in global and local environmental issues,” the consortium said.
One of its first tasks will be to come up with a universal standard for the charger system. This will include a standardised charging and billing system, a modular hardware and software charging system for ships and a ship-to-shore communication system.
