Japan’s Kobe port exploring future hydrogen potential

Japan's Kobe port is exploring the potential of using hydrogen and ammonia under a government strategy to establish itself as a carbon-neutral port by 2050.

Japanese shipping firm Mitsui OSK Lines (Mol) and engineering firm Mitsui E&amp;S Machinery have agreed to jointly study the possibility of introducing hydrogen-fuelled port cargo handling machines at Kobe port in Hyogo prefecture. Mol's cargo handling subsidiary Shosen Koun has signed a contract to introduce a hydrogen-ready rubber tyre gantry crane in May next year at the port's Kobe international container terminal operated by Mol.

The newly-developed container yard gantry crane is developed by Mitsui E&amp;S Machinery. Its diesel engine can improve fuel efficiency by 20-30pc and reduce carbon dioxide emissions compared with a conventional gantry crane. The gantry's diesel power generator can be replaced with a hydrogen-powered fuel cell unit.

Mol and Mitsui E&amp;S Machinery are co-operating in efforts to achieve carbon neutrality at Kobe port, in line with the Japanese transport ministry's initiative to develop carbon neutral ports in the country.

An advisory panel organised by the transport ministry and the city of Kobe has identified hydrogen demand potential of 150,000 t/yr at Kobe port with a complete fuel shift to hydrogen for the port's cargo handling equipment and mobility vehicles, such as container tractor heads, and achievement of 20pc ammonia co-firing at coal-fired power generation units. The port also plans to develop a medium size power plant to be eventually fuelled by hydrogen or other carbon neutral energy sources to cover its power needs.

Kobe is looking to build hydrogen import, storage and supply infrastructure for a targeted 2030 start-up as part of efforts to assist the proposed fuel shift inside the port and adjacent areas. Imports and hydrogen produced domestically from fossil fuels or as a by-product are expected in the short term to be supplied using an existing liquefied hydrogen carrier and trucks.

Kobe is already accommodating Japan's first hydrogen import terminal on the airport island for Japanese venture Hystra. The terminal was commissioned last year with a 2,500m³ storage tank that can hold 150t of liquefied hydrogen and a loading facility. The liquefied hydrogen carrier Suiso Frontier is waiting to be commissioned later this year after completing a berthing test at Kobe airport island in January.

A group of 11 Japanese companies led by industrial gas supplier Iwatani and trading house Marubeni is co-operating in developing a commercial hydrogen supply chain in western Japan's Osaka and Kobe areas by 2030. Japanese steel mill Kobe Steel said this week it will consider using ammonia at its coal-fired power generation plant near Kobe port.

By Rieko Suda

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