Kawasaki Delivers World’s First Gas Engine Hybrid Propulsion System for Use on a Bulk Carrier

Tokyo, December 26, 2023 — Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today the delivery of a gas engine hybrid propulsion system that combines a natural-gas engine and large-capacity batteries. It is for, use on a bulk carrier operated by NS United Naiko Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. This is the world’s first delivery of a hybrid propulsion system for a bulk carrier that utilizes a gas engine as the main means of propulsion.

By using a pure gas engine fueled only by natural gas as the main propulsion, the system cuts down CO₂ emissions during operation by approximately 24 percent compared with a conventional heavy-fuel-oil engine used in the same vessel type. It also achieves significant reductions in sulfur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx). In addition, the system can operate in electric propulsion mode using the batteries when entering and leaving port to achieve navigation with zero greenhouse gas emissions.

In order to mitigate global warming, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been strengthening exhaust gas regulations for CO₂ , NOx and other emission types in the area of marine transport. As a marine propulsion system integrator, Kawasaki will continue to provide propulsion systems with excellent environmental performance achieved through optimized combinations of gas engines, propellers and other core components in order to reduce environmental impact in the marine shipping industry.

Deadweight tonnage (DWT) Approx. 5,549  Size (m) Length overall: 94 Molded breadth: 18.2 Molded depth: 9.9 Main route Shiriya Misaki Port to Muroran Port Cargo Limestone

Gas engine hybrid propulsion system

Note

Relevant links

Construction of a Coastal Limestone Carrier with a Hybrid Propulsion System using a Gas-Only Engine and a Battery (September 30, 2021)

https://global.kawasaki.com/news_210930-1e.pdf

Green Gas Engine for marine