Japan's First Lithium Battery Hybrid Cargo Ship Shows Pure Electricity for 6 Hours

NS United Internal Shipping Company (4 March in Tokyo) unveiled Japan's first hybrid cargo ship with lithium-ion batteries, which can sail for up to 6 hours on batteries alone. The ship has 2828 batteries consisting of 24 Toshiba lithium-ion batteries, equivalent to the battery capacity of about 2700 ordinary hybrid electric vehicles (HVs).

Nippon Railway Sumitomo Kim Group's NS United Inland Shipping Company (Tokyo) unveiled in Tokyo on March 4 the first domestic hybrid cargo ship carrying lithium-ion batteries, which can sail for up to 6 hours on batteries alone. This is expected to promote energy conservation, reduce the impact on the environment and improve the working environment of seafarers.

According to Kyodo News Agency on March 5, the domestic vessel Utashima (499 tons) completed on February 27, with a total length of 76.19 meters and a width of 12.00 meters, will be used to transport steel for Nippon Railway Living Gold. The ship has 2828 batteries consisting of 24 Toshiba lithium-ion batteries, equivalent to the battery capacity of about 2700 ordinary hybrid electric vehicles (HVs).

Diesel engine can be used to charge batteries when navigating, and fast charging equipment when parking will also be improved. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are almost zero if the battery powers the motor and drives the propeller to navigate.

Although the cost of shipbuilding is close to twice the original cost, the fuel consumption is expected to be reduced by 2-30%. By reducing the operation of diesel engine, it can increase the time of keeping quiet in the ship and facilitate the rest of crew. Tanaka Taro, executive director of NS United Internal Navigation, said that "this will promote the reform of working methods".

Utashima's shipowner is Dock Company of Xiangdao (Taidao City, Hiroshima County), which is manufactured by Kochi Shipbuilding and Shipping Company (Hiroshima County, Upper Ishima Dazaki), and NS United Internal Shipping will be responsible for shipping.