Corvus Energy has been selected to supply the battery systems for an electric tugboat to be built by Japanese shipyard Keihin Dock Co for Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line).
The environmentally friendly harbour tug will be powered by Corvus Energy’s Orca Energy battery systems, with a total capacity of 2,712 kWh. The concept design is led by the NYK line project engineering team with further detail design finalised by Keihin Dock.
The new electric tugboat is considered to represent a major advancement in Japan’s efforts to achieve carbon-neutral ports. Equipped with batteries and Japan’s first domestically manufactured large-capacity motor drive system supplied by TMEIC Corporation, as well as a dynamic positioning (DP) system, the vessel will combine powerful zero-emission propulsion with enhanced crew comfort and safety.
As part of NYK’s ‘Co-Creating the Future’ initiative, the electric tugboat is said to symbolise Japan’s transition toward greener and smarter maritime operations. The project has been selected under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Support Project for the Development of Technologies to Promote Transformation in Coastal Shipping, reflecting its importance in advancing maritime innovation and sustainability.
Satohiko Kodama, Manager, Project Engineering Team, NYK Line, said: “This vessel is the result of our collective innovation – a ‘Tugboat of the Future’ that cares for both people and the planet. It will lead the way in Japan’s next-generation maritime industry. By integrating advanced electric propulsion from our domestic partners and state-of-the-art energy storage technology from Corvus Energy, we are taking an important step toward realizing zero-emission ports.”
From concept design to construction and operation, the project is said to unite expertise across the NYK Group to advance domestic know-how in electrically propelled vessels. The full-scale adoption of battery-based power systems represents a significant contribution to Japan’s maritime decarbonisation goals and highlights Corvus Energy’s role in enabling zero-emission solutions.
Ole Jacob Irgens, EVP and Head of Regional Sales, Europe and Asia. Corvus Energy, said: “We are proud to collaborate with NYK and Keihin Dock on this innovative electric tug project. This project further strengthens Corvus Energy’s position as the leading provider of zero-emission battery technology in Japan, where more than 10 vessels are already sailing with Corvus battery systems. Batteries are ideally suited for tugboats because they enable zero-emission operations during idling and low-power manoeuvres, with diesel engines only needed when maximum thrust is required. This hybrid approach significantly reduces fuel consumption, emissions, noise, and maintenance—while enhancing efficiency and responsiveness. We strongly believe energy storage will become the standard for all tugs going forward.”
The battery system will be supplied in partnership with Sumisho Marine of Tokyo, and is scheduled for delivery in June 2026. The tugboat is expected to begin operation by the end of 2026 under Naikai Tug Boat Service, part of the NYK Group.
Image: Corvus will supply battery systems for an electric tugboat to be built by Keihin Dock for NYK Line (source: Corvus Energy)
