Page 68: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (October 2019)

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TECH FILES e5 Lab aims to build

Zero-Emission Tanker by 2021

Prompted by a bevy of new interna- form to provide a lineup of services that tenance and management, thereby en- chargeable batteries to provide tional rules aimed at slashing emissions takes advantage of electrically powered suring that aging vessels can be oper- emergency backup power and other- from ships at sea, a consortium of four vessels and other cutting-edge technolo- ated as safely as possible wise assist with the business continu-

Japanese companies – Asahi Tanker Co., gies. The aim is to leverage this platform ity planning of local communities.

4. Leverage autonomous sailing

Ltd., Exeno Yamamizu Corporation, to encourage sustainable growth and de- The ? rst objective for e5 Lab will be technologies and big data to provide

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., and Mitsubishi velopment within the marine shipping to build the world’s ? rst zero-emission onshore support for crews and contrib-

Corporation – recently struck an agree- industry. tanker by mid-2021. The tanker will be a ute to safe, reliable and ef? cient ship ment to create a strategic partnership to coastal vessel powered by large-capacity operations.

provide new infrastructure services in The Seven Challenges batteries and will operate in Tokyo Bay. 5. Offer an electric-vessel platform the marine shipping industry that focus The company will also develop other 1. Control greenhouse gas (GHG) to all stakeholders in the marine ship- on electrically powered vessels. kinds of electrically powered vessels to emissions and help to combat the ad- ping industry (including shipbuilders,

The new company, dubbed e5 Lab. address the above mentioned challenges.

verse impacts of climate change by equipment manufacturers, ship own-

Inc. (e5 Lab) will work to develop and Furthermore, e5 Lab will actively pro- converting vessels to electric propul- ers and operators, and cargo owners), promote the greater use of these relative- mote the electri? cation of both coastal sion.

standardize vessels and otherwise help ly clean modes of marine transport. and ocean-going vessels, and pool the 2. Improve working environments to develop a sustainable growth model

There are a number of challenges fac- technologies, human resources and oper- and mitigate crew shortages by up- within the industry.

ing Japan’s shipping industry which e5 ational know-how needed to achieve the grading onboard communications sys-

Lab will seek to address by consolidat- 6. Propose standards on the swift and 50% GHG reduction target of the IMO tems.

ing the technologies, know-how and broader application of next-genera- as soon as possible (the IMO wants to networks of its four major shareholders. 3. Leverage sophisticated sensor tion technologies. see annual emissions drop to half of their

The new company will develop a plat- technologies to improve ship main- 2008 levels by the year 2025).

7. Leverage large-capacity, re-

Photo: Mitsubishi Corporation 68 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • OCTOBER 2019

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