Japan’s largest shipowner Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and e5 Lab, a Japanese vessel electrification and digitalisation solution provider, have entered into a memorandum of understanding to conduct a joint study of a hybrid pure car carrier equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system and large-capacity batteries.
The companies aim to develop a hydrogen hybrid car carrier which does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), or particulate matter (PM) while underway in coastal waters or in ports.
MOL has been working to realise zero emissions vessels since 2009 when it announced its future vision for the next-generation series “ISHIN-I” car carrier. In 2012, it launched the world’s first hybrid car carrier, the Emerald Ace, which is equipped with solar power generation system and batteries.
“The hydrogen hybrid PCC concept marks a further step ahead from these past projects, and the company is pursuing the possibility of introducing more extensive and more advanced technologies with the goal of zero emissions,” MOL said in a release.
The two companies will first conduct technological and business feasibility studies, before moving on to the next phase of joint development of the ship.
MOL is one of the largest car carrier operators in the world with a fleet of 53 pure car carriers.
