Eco-friendly "e-tug" design from Japan

Photo: Tokyo Kisen

Tokyo Kisen Co. Ltd. and e5 Lab Inc. have recently unveiled their new concept design for the “e5 Tug”.

It is equipped with a propulsion system running on the "e5 powertrain platform", which utilizes a large-capacity battery system as a main power source and a hydrogen fuel cell and generator as the auxiliary power source. 

It ensures sufficient bollard pull and continuous cruising time necessary for tugging operations. Equipping the vessel with a fuel cell helps to minimize CO2 emissions. The system can adapt to technological progress by utilizing a variety of energy sources, such as lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, all-solid-state batteries or LNG generators.

Regulatory compliance is the next step in development. If all goes well the tug should start operations at the Yokohama and Kawasaki Ports in 2022.