A group of Japanese firms including oil refiner Eneos aims to begin pilot operation of a high-power hydrogen fuel cell passenger ferry at Yokohama port in 2024, eyeing the development and commercialisation of a hydrogen value chain for domestic coastal shipping in Japan.
Japanese shipping firm NYK Line, Eneos and engineering firms Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions are set to launch a demonstration project this month to develop and commercialise high-power hydrogen-powered fuel cell vessels. The project aims to develop a 150/gross-tonne hydrogen fuel cell passenger ferry for the planned trial beginning in 2024.
NYK Line will manage the whole project, while also assisting in a ship design and legal compliance. Toshiba will install a high-power fuel cell system on ships and develop operation technology, while KHI will be in charge of developing an onboard hydrogen supply system and energy management system. Japanese classification society ClassNK will co-operate in the safety assessment of the developed vessels.
Eneos is responsible for developing a hydrogen fuel supply system to demonstrate hydrogen supply in the pilot operation. The company, formerly known as JXTG, has strengthened efforts to shift to low-carbon energy, such as hydrogen and renewables.
Eneos has been actively expanding its hydrogen production and supply infrastructure, hoping to tap potential growth in hydrogen use for automobiles and ships. The company and power venture Jera in late August jointly opened a large-scale hydrogen supply station in Tokyo with an on-site facility to produce hydrogen from city gas piped from the Ohgishima City Gas Supply facility, a joint venture of Jera, Eneos and gas utility Osaka Gas.
Eneos operates 43 hydrogen stations nationwide. The company is also in an Australian-Japanese venture to export to the Japanese market hydrogen produced in Australia from coal.
Japan is working to commercialise zero-carbon emitting vessels in 2028-30 as part of efforts to reduce the global shipping industry's emissions. Shipping firm Mitsui OSK Lines is also co-operating with electric ship developer e5 Lab to develop a hybrid car carrier equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system.
The 10 largest coal producers and exporters in Indonesia:
- Indo Tambangraya Megah (ITMG)
- Bukit Asam (PTBA)
- Baramulti Sukses Sarana (BSSR)
- Harum Energy (HRUM)
- Adaro Energy (ADRO)
- Bumi Resources (BUMI)
- Mitrabara Adiperdana (MBAP)
- Samindo Resources (MYOH)
- United Tractors (UNTR)
- Berau Coal
Source: Rieko Suda - Argus Media
