Oshima Shipbuilding unveils battery-powered vessel

Oshima Shipbuilding of Nagasaki has completed construction of a zero-emission double-ended Ro-Pax ferry powered only by a battery.

A 590kWh large-capacity lithium-ion storage battery developed by GS Yuasa Corporation serves as the main power source for the 35-metre-long vessel, providing electricity for the propulsion as well as the communication, navigation, lighting and HVAC systems.

The Ro-Pax has capacity for 50 passengers, four passenger cars, and a large bus.