31OCT2019 - NEWS - Japan takes a leap into hydrogen fuel

A Japanese owner has developed the first hydrogen-fuelled tug in east Asia as part of a national strategy to test alternative marine fuels

Tokyo Kisen collaborated with e5 Lab to develop the e5 Tug concept design for an electric-propulsion harbour tugboat. This would be powered by a large-capacity battery and a hydrogen fuel cell, the first time this has been developed in the region.

This tug will built in Japan for testing in the next three years around a major Japanese port to demonstrate the full potential of all-electric propulsion and hydrogen fuel cell technology.

e5 Tug would be fully electrified to minimise its environmental footprint. This achievement could be emulated in other projects in Japan and elsewhere in Asia.

Tokyo Kisen said it intends to seek advice from Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and classification society ClassNK and other relevant organisations for regulatory compliance to proceed the project.