On January 21, Japanese shipbuilder Naikai Zosen Corporation announced that it had been selected for the “Zero Emission Ship Construction Promotion Project,” the goal of which is to establish the world’s first domestic production system in Japan for zero-emission vessels utilizing hydrogen, ammonia, liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, wind propulsion, or batteries as energy sources for the international shipping sector.
The public initiative, implemented under Japan’s GX Promotion Act (Law Concerning the Promotion of Smooth Transition to a Decarbonized Growth-Oriented Economic Structure) and aligned with the country’s commitment to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, is organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) in partnership with the Japan Ship Technology Research Association (JSTRA) with support from the Nippon Foundation [1].
Japan’s Goal of “Zero Emission from International Shipping”
As a key player in the global shipping and shipbuilding industries, Japan is striving to introduce the first-generation Zero Emission Ship for international commercial shipping by 2028.
The Zero Emission Ship project, which seeks to promote the adoption of zero-emission vessels to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and enhance Japan’s industrial competitiveness, announced the results of the fiscal 2024 call for applications on January 9 [2].
Successful Japan’s prime contractors alongside Naikai Zosen included Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., which will invest in outfitting pier maintenance and increased jib crane capacity, as well as Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU), which will develop a new ammonia and LNG fuel tank production facility, among others.
Meanwhile, successful applicants among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) include Izumi Kogyo Co., Ltd., which will invest in expanding its ammonia fuel tank production capacity, and Volcano Co. Ltd., which will expand test facilities for incinerator units that use ammonia and hydrogen.
Japan is positioning itself as a leader in maritime decarbonization, which is likely to impact not only the commercial shipbuilding industry but also the defense shipbuilding base for the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) as domestic companies shift toward the development of on-shore capabilities to support low-emission technologies.
Zero-Emission Shipbuilding Technology and the Japan Self-Defense Force
To support Japan’s “Zero Emission Ship Construction Promotion Project,” Naikai Zosen Corporation is planning a 2.7-billion-yen (approximately 17.3 million USD) investment in new shipbuilding equipment. The company will also receive a subsidy of up to 900-million-yen (approximately 5.8 million USD) from the MLIT program.
Naikai Zosen also outlined a wider goal to ensure that all vessels it constructs between 2040 and 2045 will be zero-emission, including ferries and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ships.
In addition to these commercial shipping endeavors, Naikai Zosen is responsible for constructing vessels for the JSDF. This includes the launch of the first Landing Craft Utility (LCU), Nihonbare, in October last year, followed by the completion of the Yoko Landing Support Vessel (LSV) in November 2024 [3].
Both the Nihonbare LCU and Yoko LSV are designated for the JSDF’s new Maritime Transport Group (tentative name) to facilitate rapid deployment to critical frontline bases in Japan’s southwestern Nansei Islands.
Similar to Naikai Zosen’s civilian ferries and RORO ships, the LCU and LSV are designed to facilitate the onloading and offloading of personnel, vehicles, and supplies. Notably, like a private ferry, the Yoko features retractable ramps, known as “rampways,” at both the front and rear of the hull, enabling it to drive itself for loading and unloading vehicles and other items from the quay [4].
The JSDF’s transport capabilities to Japan’s southwestern region are expected to be further strengthened through the use of civilian transportation vessels via the use of private finance initiatives (PFIs). These PFIs are to complement the JSDF’s own maritime assets for rapid transport, including the LSV and LCU built by Naikai Zosen.
The Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) plans to employ six civilian vessels specializing in the mass transportation of vehicles and containers to enhance the mobility of JSDF units to Japan’s southwestern islands. Additionally, PFI vessels are expected to be utilized in JSDF transportation exercises and port-entry inspections [5].
Thus, while the JSDF’s Maritime Transport Group will rely on conventional engines for its LSV and LCU vessels, expected advancements in low-emission technology developed for civilian ferries and RORO ships could eventually be retrofitted into the JSDF’s vessels, contributing to emission reductions, provided there is no negative tradeoff in operational effectiveness.
Nevertheless, regardless of the decision made here, the JSDF will likely need to familiarize itself with low-emission technologies, as these are expected to be adopted in future civilian PFI ships, which will, in turn, likely support the JSDF in mass transportation of vehicles and containers, as well as port-entry inspections.
Conclusion
Shifts in Japan’s shipbuilding industry—both in onshore infrastructure and offshore vessel technology—to support “Zero Emission Ships” are likely to influence the technologies adopted by the JSDF as well as its operational planning.
JMOD has acknowledged that in the envisioned net-zero society of 2050, which will rely on renewable energy sources such as hydrogen and ammonia, maintaining the current level of fossil fuel use for defense equipment will be challenging. As a result, JMOD has recognized the need to explore alternative energy sources for defense equipment [6].
Initiatives by JMOD and the shipbuilding industry include adopting lithium-ion batteries for the JSDF’s Taigei-class of diesel-electric submarines—the first of which was built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ shipyard and commissioned on March 9, 2022 [7]. Adoption of lithium-ion technology has enhanced silent operations, improved speeds and sprints, and extended underwater endurance by enabling the submarine to shut down its diesel-electric propulsion system and operate entirely on battery power.
※1 USD = 155 JPY
Notes:
[1] Cabinet Secretariat, “The Basic Policy for the Realization of GX – A Roadmap for the next 10 years” –, February 2023, https://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/gx_jikkou_kaigi/pdf/kihon_en.pdf ; MLIT Maritime Bureau, “Roadmap to Zero Emission from International Shipping”, March 2020, https://www.mlit.go.jp/en/maritime/GHG_roadmap_en.html
[2] Subsidy Program for Promoting the Construction of Zero-Emission Ships, “ゼロエミッション船等の建造促進事業公募の採択事業者リスト（令和７年１月９日現在）”, “List of companies selected for the public call for applications for the Zero Emission Ship Construction Promotion Project as of January 9, 2025)”) https://pczes.jstra.jp/news/upload/d3749a7191c8198296a81535e489a54488bae32e.pdf
[3] Naikai Zosen, “艦番号4101 輸送艦（LSV）『ようこう』”, “LSV Yoko (pennant number 4101)”, November 28, 2024 https://www.naikaizosen.co.jp/launching/%E3%80%8E%E3%80%8F.html
[4] Kosuke Takahashi, “Japan launches first LSV for the SDF Maritime Transport Group”, Naval News, November 28, 2024, https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/11/japan-launches-first-lsv-for-the-sdf-maritime-transport-group/
[5] Japan Ministry of Defense, “Progress and Budget in Fundamental Reinforcement of Defense Capabilities – Overview of FY2025 Budget Request”, https://www.mod.go.jp/en/d_act/d_budget/pdf/20241126a.pdf
[6] Japan Ministry of Defense, “防衛省気候変動対処戦略の概要”, “Overview of the Ministry of Defense’s Climate Change Strategy”, August 2022 https://www.mod.go.jp/j/policy/agenda/meeting/kikouhendou/pdf/taishosenryaku_gaiyo_202208.pdf
[7] Eric Wertheim, “Japan’s Advanced Lithium-Ion Submarines”, Proceedings, December 2022, U.S. Naval Institute, https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2022/december/japans-advanced-lithium-ion-submarines ; Naval Technology, “Taigei-Class Attack Submarines, Japan”, July 8, 2022, https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/taigei-class-attack-submarines-japan/
Background Information:
https://www.naikaizosen.co.jp/app/wp-content/uploads/news/d38194ce5235c848920a7482976f8050.pdf
https://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/kaiji05_hh_000286.html
https://www.mlit.go.jp/en/maritime/GHG_roadmap_en.html
https://pczes.jstra.jp/news/upload/d3749a7191c8198296a81535e489a54488bae32e.pdf
This article was originally posted on NSBT Japan, the first defense and security industry network in Japan. The publication provides the latest information on security business trends both within Japan and overseas. Asian Military Review began exchanging articles with NSBT Japan in April 2024.
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