Revolutionizing Port Operations with Hydrogen-Powered Equipment

Japanese ship equipment manufacturer Mitsui E&S has taken a significant step towards sustainable port operations by replacing conventional diesel engines with hydrogen fuel cells on their rubber-tired gantry crane (RTG) at the Yokohama Port Minami-Honmoku Pier Container Terminal.

Mitsui E&S has been at the forefront of developing hydrogen-powered cargo handling equipment for years. By retrofitting the RTG at Utoc Corporation, the company has enabled the crane to operate emission-free, solely on hydrogen fuel, contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions at ports and aligning with global efforts to achieve carbon neutrality in port operations.

The successful demonstration of the hydrogen-powered RTG in Japan follows Mitsui E&S’s milestone achievement in 2024, when they launched the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered RTG crane at the Port of Los Angeles, marking a significant advancement in green port technologies.

Recent developments also include Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan’s Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, further solidifying Mitsui E&S’s commitment to sustainable shipping practices. Additionally, Mitsui E&S has initiated test operations of a large-bore low-speed ammonia dual fuel engine, signaling a significant move towards decarbonizing the maritime industry.