[Special feature] Automobile logistics: Fuel-efficient car carriers continue to evolve toward the 2050 goal

Solar power generation and ballast water treatment are among the most recent evolutions in the car carrier. With Auriga Leader, we have also begun to reduce environmental load as we move toward our final goal of a zero-emissions ship in 2050.

Using environment-friendly solar power generation and storage batteries to stabilize electricity supplies

Image of stable photovoltaic power generation
* During the periods shaded in pink, the storage
battery recharges; during the periods shaded blue,
it discharges.

Auriga Leader was launched in December 2008 with 328 solar panels capable of generating 40 kW of power. Unfortunately, power output significantly declined during inclement weather and nighttime hours. We therefore developed a hybrid power supply system through the use of a high capacity nickel-metal hydride battery (storage battery) in June 2011 to stabilize electric power supplies. Having stable supplies of electric power even during times of low power output enables us to both utilize safe energy and reduce CO2 emissions.

Ballast water management systems protect biodiversity

Ballast-water treatment

Ships take on ballast water to stabilize themselves when their holds are empty, and when this water is discharged, the marine life that it contains can be transported to non-native ecosystems, where it flourishes and causes problems. Auriga Leader was designed in preparation for the implementation of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments.^* It uses filters to remove marine organisms (mechanical treatment) and chemicals to disinfect and neutralize water (chemical treatment) during intake, preventing ballast water from damaging biodiversity.

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