July 9, 2026
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.
Daito Corporation (Daito), a consolidated subsidiary of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE), has decided to build a 260 gross ton-class electric tugboat (“EV Tugboat No. 2”). This will be Daito’s second electric tugboat, following the 199 gross ton-class electric tugboat currently under construction (“EV Tugboat No. 1”).*1
EV Tugboat No. 2 will be a high-output vessel designed to accommodate a wide range of towage operations in Tokyo Bay. It is intended to be a standard model for future electric tugboats. The vessel will use a new DC power distribution system that efficiently supplies propulsion and onboard electrical power and be equipped with a 4,400 PS motor, whose output is higher than the 3,600 PS motor in EV Tugboat No. 1. In addition, EV Tugboat No. 2’s auxiliary generator, which will operate when battery capacity is insufficient, will be controlled by a condition monitoring system (CMS). Accumulated operational data will be utilized to optimize power supply and reduce the vessel’s use of fossil fuels.
This initiative has also been selected to be included in the subsidized Innovative Navigation Efficiency and Transition to Non-Fossil Energy for Coastal Shipping program jointly administered by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. It is expected that the initiative will contribute to environmental initiatives in Japan’s coastal shipping industry.
EV Tugboat No. 2 will be constructed by HONGAWARA SHIP YARD CO.,LTD. with the cooperation of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., which will provide and integrate the control and propulsion systems, and TOA CORPORATION, which will design and construct the shoreside charging equipment. Completion is scheduled for July 2028. Together with EV Tugboat No. 1, which will enter service earlier, the vessel will engage in towage operations for ships calling at Tokyo Bay ports and contribute to the development of carbon-neutral ports (CNP) *2.
Under the Group’s long-term environmental policy, “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050: Blue Seas for the Future,*3 the “K” LINE Group is advancing the research, development and implementation of environmental technologies. Going forward as well, the Group will continue to work together to promote initiatives to move toward the implementation of low-carbon and decarbonized operation
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- EV Tugboat No. 2 image
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- Signing ceremony
From left
- Daito Corporation’s mascot character, “Tsunagu Chan”
- TOA CORPORATION, Hitoshi Kawashima, Executive Officer General Manager of Chiba Branch
- HONGAWARA SHIP YARD CO., LTD., Makoto Hongawara, President
- Daito Corporation, Takashi Shinozaki, Senior Managing Director
- Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. ,Kenichi Masamoto, Executive General Manager of Marine Machinery Business Division
*1 See “K” LINE’s November 8, 2024 news release: Daito Corporation Has Decided to Build an Electric Tugboat
https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/logistics/logistics-20241108.html
*2 Carbon Neutral Port (CNP) is an initiative of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to achieve zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated in harbors and ports, through advancement of operations in harbors and ports that will further the progress of decarbonization.
*3 “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050: Blue Seas for the Future is a set of long-term guidelines regarding the environment that was established in 2015 and revised in 2020. As part of our action plan to reduce GHG emissions, we are engaged in a number of initiatives, such as the introduction of zero-emission fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen fuels, and carbon-neutral fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic fuels.
https://www.kline.co.jp/en/sustainability/environment/management.html
