Seagate Corporation has held a naming and launching ceremony for a newly built tugboat featuring two environmental technologies not previously used together on a Japanese tugboat.

The vessel, named Bisan Maru, was ordered by Seagate Corporation, a consolidated subsidiary of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), from Kanagawa Dockyard. The ceremony took place on 22 April.

Bisan Maru is the first Japanese tugboat to be equipped with both a biofuel blender and an ultrasonic hull anti-fouling system. Following completion of interior work, the tug is scheduled to enter service at the Port of Mizushima in Okayama Prefecture in August 2026.

It is equipped with a conventional diesel engine propulsion system using marine fuel oil, but K Line stated that the addition of the two systems will reduce CO₂ emissions compared with conventional vessels.

The biofuel blender, manufactured by Conhira, can mix marine fuel oil and biofuel in any ratio from 0% to 100%. K Line explained that this enables stable onboard fuel production with the desired blend, even in locations where bunker vessels cannot supply it.

The ultrasonic hull anti-fouling system, manufactured by M-SAT.LLC uses sound waves to reduce the adhesion of marine organisms to the hull and limit the loss of fuel efficiency.

K Line noted that this setup was originally developed for a hybrid EV tug scheduled for completion in 2027, but was first installed on Bisan Maru to verify its performance in an operational environment.

Under its long-term environmental policy, K Line Environmental Vision 2050: Blue Seas for the Future, the group is advancing research, development, and deployment of innovative technologies to support low-carbon and decarbonised operations.