220MWh Japanese Power Transfer Vessel’s Prototype to be Ready 2025

Japanese startup PowerX has entered into a capital and business alliance with shipbuilder Imabari Shipbuilding to jointly develop the first prototype of its “power transfer vessel” — Power ARK — by the end of 2025, said a recent official statement. Imabari Shipbuilding has also invested 1 billion yen (US$8.86 million) in PowerX through this capital and business alliance agreement.

PowerX will develop and manufacture the battery storage system and other battery-related systems to be installed on the prototype ship. Through this alliance, PowerX and Imabari Shipbuilding will leverage their respective expertise and strength to maximize the synergy.

The Power ARK will go into full-scale operation after testing with the prototype ship. With the smaller model (220MWh capacity), the Power ARK is expected to transport enough electricity for 209,000 Japanese households in one single trip (assuming average Japanese household electricity consumption is 10 kWh per day).

“PowerX endeavors to accelerate decarbonization and the adoption of renewable energy with the Power Transfer Vessels. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Imabari Shipbuilding for sharing our vision and supporting us at such an early stage. Through this alliance, we aim to jointly develop and introduce “Power ARK” to the world as a “MADE in JAPAN” product with Imabari Shipbulding. Going forward, PowerX will continue the efforts to realize a decarbonized society,” said PowerX CEO & Representative Director Masahiro Ito.

“The realization of a decarbonized society is a major issue that the shipbuilding and shipping industries must tackle. We see this alliance as an excellent opportunity for Imabari Shipbuilding to invest in as well as partner up with PowerX, who is taking on the challenge with a different approach from the existing shipbuilding and shipping industries. We are looking forward to working with PowerX to develop new solutions that can contribute to our society,” said Imabari Shipbuilding President Yukito Higaki.

Globally, the shipping industry has been a troublesome hotspot for emissions, using as it does some of the most polluting derivatives of crude oil, bunker fuels. A major push has been ongoing to improve standards, but electric ships at scale is certainly an ambition that even the most optimistic will not be counting on before 2040 possibly.