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Newly formed ‘e5 Consortium’ to boost use of zero-emission electric vessels in Japan

22 May 2020

Seven Japanese companies, namely Asahi Tanker Co., Ltd., Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., Exeno Yamamizu Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd., Tokyo Electric Power Company, and Mitsubishi Corporation on Wednesday (20 May) announced their establishment of the ‘e5 Consortium’. 

The consortium aims to establish new ocean shipping infrastructure services through various initiatives to develop, realise, and commercialise zero-emission electric vessels.

The association will be based on the realisation of five core values:  “electrification,” “environment,” “evolution,” “efficiency,” and “economics.”

Coastal shipping in Japan faces structural issues such as a shortage of mariners due to the aging of the seagoing workforce, not to mention the aging of the vessels, said the consortium.

In addition, the ocean shipping industry has urged the coastal shipping industry to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) as one of Japan’s measures to address climate change. 

All seven corporate members of the ‘e5 Consortium’ are focusing their resources to develop the potential of electric vessels to solve these urgent issues. 

The consortium says it aims to establish a platform that offers innovative ocean shipping infrastructure services based on electric vessels bringing to bear the strength, technological know-how, networks, and other advantages of each member company.

As the first phrase of the project, the consortium states it plans to launch the world’s first zero-emission electric tanker, powered by large-capacity lithium ion batteries, by March 2022. E5 Lab. Inc. will serve as the executive office of the e5 Consortium. 

Manifold Times in late March reported Japanese marine transportation company Asahi Tanker Co. Ltd. deciding to build two of the world’s first zero-emission electric propulsion bunker tankers.

Related: Asahi Tanker orders world’s first zero-emission electric propulsion bunker tankers


Photo credit: e5 Consortium
Published: 22 May, 2020

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