MOL and e5 Lab to develop hybrid car carrier

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and e5Lab have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to undertake a joint study on the development of a hybrid car carrier powered by a combination of a hydrogen fuel cell system, large-capacity batteries and an LNG-fuelled generator.

The vessel would be capable of zero-emission operation whilst underway in coastal waters and in ports. At such times, it would use electricity from a combination of the fuel cell system and batteries. When operating in the open sea, the ship would use the LNG-fuelled generator and batteries.

Overall carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by as much as 50%, the companies said, and would be significantly lower than similar ships today which typically have engines burning heavy fuel oil.