Japan’s first domestic EV container ship equipped with swappable container batteries, “Takasago,” was launched at Miura Shipyard in Oita Prefecture. The ship has a large hull, with a maximum capacity of 227 TEU and a stated cruising speed of approximately 23 km/h.
Imoto Shoun launched “Takasago,” a domestic container ship capable of zero-emission operation using Japan’s first swappable container batteries. The launching ceremony was held on 8 October 2026, when the ship was named.
The ship is 82.22 m long, has a beam of 13.8 m and a depth of 6.6 m, and has gross tonnage of 509 tonnes and capacity for 227 TEU. It is equipped with 3 Yanmar generators and 2 Ramel propulsion motors, and can reach a maximum speed of approximately 12.2 knots, or approximately 23 km/h.
The ship carries 2 lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 250 kWh each and can load 3 swappable 20-foot container batteries in its holds. Operations are scheduled to begin with the 2 onboard batteries and 1 container battery during the initial period of service.
The president of Imoto Shoun said the company aims to achieve complete zero emissions, with no CO2 emissions from the fuel extraction and manufacturing stages as well as during navigation, by using electricity from renewable energy sources for charging. Potential future uses of swappable batteries, including a possible Kobe-Hiroshima service, were also presented.