A new container ship concept from Japanese companies Imoto Lines and Marindows is intended to achieve zero CO2 emissions not only during operation but also within ports and while docked.
The project has been adopted by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment ‘Carbon Neutral Technology Research and Development Program’ as a solution to three major challenges to the domestic shipping industry: decarbonisation, crew shortage, and safe navigation. The first vessel is scheduled to commence demonstrations in 2026 .
Imoto Lines and Marindows say that the vessel will be capable of hybrid operation using Japan’s first exchangeable container batteries, alongside onboard batteries and generators, and will conduct demonstration experiments on the Kobe – Hiroshima service.
The objective is to achieve completely zero-emission CO2 output over the entire lifecycle from fuel mining and manufacturing to usage, not only during operation, through being powered by renewable energy charged in containerised batteries. The ship will operate with fewer people with lower levels of skill and experience required, through electrification, thorough standardisation and modularisation, and land-based support.
Because next-generation advanced vessels currently under development and introduction are not only expensive but also technologically nascent, carrying the risk of future technology obsolescence, this vessel is designed to significantly reduce operating costs through thorough standardisation, modularisation, and mass production. Although total operating costs, including construction, may be around 30% higher than existing ships, when overall costs are considered the new design will be comparable. The design can be flexibly upgraded with the introduction of new technologies and systems, minimising the risk of technology obsolescence.
The ship, designed for domestic operation in Japan, will be 499gt, with a capacity of about 200 TEU. It will be built at Miura Shipbuilding, with length about 81m, breadth 13.5m and depth 6.6m. Power of two 360kW motors will give a speed of 12.5 knots. In hybrid operation it will have a range of up to 5000km, and in battery-only operation, with five containerised energy storage systems, it will be capable of about 333km, which will increase if more batteries are carried.
The project developers believe the design will provide maximum customer value, maximum environmental benefit, competitive economic value, optimum crew utilisation and increased safety.
Image: Zero-emission container ship concept (source: Ministry of Environment, Japan / JLA)
