Initiative launched to roll out shore power across Japanese ports

A Japanese consortium has been formed with the aim of promoting the widespread use of standardised shore-to-ship charging stations.

The group, provisionally named the ‘Promotion Council for Zero Emission Chargers for Ships’ will, in the first phase, look to set up prototype zero emission chargers for ships in Hanshin Port and Keihin Port by 2025. This is expected to then expand to ports, fishing ports, and marinas nationwide and overseas.

The council includes e5 Lab, a joint venture set up by Asahi Tanker with Exeno Yamamizu, MOL and Mitsubishi, e-Mobility Power, CHAdeMO Association, The Japan Ship Technology Research Association, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Development Bank of Japan.

Shore-to-ship power supply, which involves supplying electricity from land to ships, is attracting attention as a concrete measure to reduce CO2 emissions. Approximately 40% of CO2 emissions in ports come from diesel generators on docked ships, which also impact the surrounding environment by emitting noise, vibration, NOx, and SOx.

The members said the initiative should lead to improved user convenience, an increase in the number of ships using the service, the independence of the ship power supply business, and the further development of chargers. 

“Ultimately, this will realise zero emissions from ships in port areas, the spread of EV ships, the expansion of renewable energy use, and improvements in global and local environmental issues,” the council said in a release.

The City of Kobe, Port and Harbor Bureau and City of Yokohama, Port and Harbor Bureau are participating in the council as observers.