Daito Corporation, a subsidiary of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha ("K" Line), has announced plans to construct its second electric tugboat, designated 'EV Tugboat No. 2'. This new vessel will have a gross tonnage of 260 tons and will be built by Hongawara Ship Yard Co. in Japan. Kawasaki Heavy Industries will supply and integrate the control and propulsion systems, while Toa Corporation will be responsible for designing and constructing the necessary shoreside charging equipment.
This development follows Daito's previous order for 'EV Tugboat No. 1', a 199 gross ton electric vessel that was announced in 2024 and is currently under construction. The addition of a second electric tugboat underscores a growing commitment to decarbonizing port operations and reducing emissions from support vessels.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, the increasing adoption of electric tugboats in Japanese ports signifies a broader trend towards sustainable maritime logistics. While not directly impacting mainline vessel rates or capacity, it contributes to the overall environmental profile of port calls and could align with shippers' and carriers' ESG goals. This initiative reflects efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of port services, which may become a factor in port selection for environmentally conscious supply chains.
