Japanese shipbuilding company Koa Sangyo has launched the world's first electric tanker. The ceremony in this regard took place at the shipyard in Kagawa Prefecture (Shikoku Island), Report informs via foreign media.
The vessel was built by order of the Asahi Tanker company and is named Asahi. The tanker's length is 62 m, and the volume of oil product storage is 1,280 cubic meters. It is equipped with lithium-ion batteries with a total capacity of 3,480 kW.
The tanker can travel a 150-180 km distance, and it takes about 10 hours to charge fully. Also, the ship is equipped with systems that allow it to be used as a source of electricity during emergencies. In addition, vibration and noise from electric motors are significantly lower than conventional motors, making it more comfortable for the crew.
Asahi is expected to be used for refueling large transoceanic vessels in Tokyo Bay from March 2022.