Japanese companies Asahi Tanker, Idemitsu Kosan, Exeno Yamamizu Corporation, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), Tokio Marine and Nichido Fire Insurance, Tokyo Electric Power Company, and Mitsubishi Corporation have established a new consortium with the goal of developing zero-emission oceangoing electric vessels for commercial use.
Among other things, the e5 Consortium plans to launch the world's first zero-emission electric tanker (pictured), powered by large-capacity lithium ion batteries, by March 2022. This vessel will be operated primarily in Tokyo Bay.
The establishment of the new consortium comes less than a year after four of the partners — Asahi Tanker, Exeno Yamamizu, MOL, and Mitsubishi — formed the strategic partnership named e5 Lab with the same goal of developing zero-emission vessels.