Kobe-Osaka International Port Launches Demonstration of Advanced Cargo Handling Machinery at Hanshin Port Container Terminal
-World's 1st Rubber Tired Gantry (RTG) Crane Converted to Hydrogen Engine, Achieving Decarbonized Port and Harbor Operations-

February 07, 2024

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Kobe-Osaka International Port Corporation
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Shosen Koun Co., Ltd.
Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
iLabo Co., Ltd.
Iwatani Corporation
Universal Energy Research Institutes, Inc.

Kobe-Osaka International Port Corporation (President: Takafumi Kido) today announced that it is commissioned a Demonstration Project for Advanced Cargo Handling Machinery at the Hanshin Port" (Note 1) from The Kinki Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. It will demonstrate the operation of hydrogen-fueled cargo handling machinery, which is the first in the world to convert a rubber tired gantry (RTG) crane's diesel engine generator to a hydrogen engine generator, at Kobe International Container Terminal (KICT), operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo).

Kobe-Osaka International Port will work to ensure the smooth, safe introduction of hydrogen energy, with on-site demonstrations of decarbonized port operations, in conjunction with Shosen Koun Co., Ltd. (President: Kenji Jitsu), which owns RTGs as the operator of KICT; Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Takeyuki Takahashi), a manufacturer of RTGs; iLabo Co., Ltd. (Representative Director: Nobuhiro Ota), a hydrogen engine manufacturer; Iwatani Corporation (President: Hiroshi Majima), which is responsible for hydrogen supply, transport, and fueling; and Universal Energy Laboratory Corporation (President: Takeshi Kaneda), a consulting company.

The implementation structure is as illustrated below.

Expectations for hydrogen as a clean energy source are growing around the world as it moves toward the realization of a decarbonized society. In Japan's ports and waterfront areas, the development of carbon neutral ports (CNPs) is being pursued to upgrade port functions for decarbonization and to improve the environment for the adoption of hydrogen and other clean alternative fuels. Efforts are underway to develop technologies for cargo handling machinery using hydrogen as an energy source, among others. This demonstration project is the first in the world to convert an RTG's diesel engine generator to a hydrogen engine generator.

The companies participating in this project will proactively engage in the conversion of cargo handling machinery to hydrogen fuel and electrification to realize a CNP at the Port of Hanshin.

[Note 1] About the demonstration project

• Commissioned name: Commissioned work for a demonstration project for advanced cargo handling machinery at the Port of Hanshin
• Consignor: Kinki Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
• Consignee Location: 9, Minatojima, Chuo-ku, Kobe Port Island (Phase 2) District PC15-17

＜Reference. Overall implementation details and schedule of the demonstration project (tentative)

○Details

• 1）Conversion of diesel engine generator of cargo handling machinery to hydrogen engine generator
• 2）Hydrogen fueling for cargo handling machinery
• 3）Cargo handling operations using cargo handling machinery

○Project Implementation Schedule (tentative)

• FY2022 - FY2023: Planning of implementation plan (desk review)
• FY2023 - FY2024: RTG conversion and trial operation (preparation for field demonstration started)
• FY2025: On-site verification (data acquisition), analysis, etc.
• FY2025 - FY2026: Revision of technical standards, etc.

For details, please visit the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism website here.
URL：https://www.kkr.mlit.go.jp/news/top/press/2023/20240207-2cnpjissyou.html

[Note 2] RTG: Rubber tired gantry crane

A crane for conveying containers that has legs with tires at both ends and can travel without requiring rails installed on the ground