Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and Asahi Tanker have announced that the ‘Akari’, the world’s second pure battery tanker, owned and operated by Asahi Tanker, has completed its first bunkering operation in Kawasaki, supplying the MOL-operated iron ore career ‘Unta’.
Akari was delivered in March 2023 then sailed from the shipyard to Tokyo Bay to enter service.
The Akari will conduct zero emission bunkering in the Keihin region along with the first pure battery tanker, the Asahi, which was delivered in March 2022.
Large-capacity lithium-ion batteries on the Asahi and Akari power every phase of their operations, including cargo handling, berthing/unberthing, and navigation. This results in zero GHG emissions from the vessel. The tankers are expected to reduce crewmembers’ workloads by reducing engine maintenance requirements.
MOL and Asahi Tanker will continue bunkering using electric powered tankers to help reduce GHG emissions.
