With an aim to diffuse hydrogen-fueled ships, Taiyo Nippon Sanso is now promoting to develop infrastructures to supply renewable energy-derived hydrogen at sea to ocean-going ships in collaboration with three companies (MOL Techno-Trade, Kobelco Eco-Solutions and Nihon Shipyard).

Based on the slogan of “Green Growth Strategy Through Achieving Carbon Neutrality in 2050” formulated by the government at the end of last year, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced that it would undertake to import and store a substantial volume of next-generation energy like H2 or ammonia and also to form the “Carbon Neutral Port (CNP)” for an upgraded port and harbor function. Examination meetings have been started at six port and harbor areas of Yokohama, Kawasaki, Niigata, Nagoya, Kobe and Kudamatsu of Tokuyama since last December. The project at this time has been formed on the basis of such collaboration with the CNP partners.
In this project named “Sierra Project” they are going to examine developments of infrastructure for supply foreseeing the utilization of hydrogen fuel in coastal vessels.

As the supply of fuel for vessels is generally made by a fuel supply ship, they bear in mind a development of a supply system of hydrogen fuel using a ship.

The hydrogen to be supplied at sea is assumed to be what has been produced in use of electricity from renewable energy and a hydrogen plant at sea will be also put into consideration.

On the other hand, they put in sight the utilization of hydrogen for the construction of marine facilities and also a BCP measure of regional authorities. It will be promoted with the corporation of the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology the University of Tokyo and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai.
From April a full-fledged examination will be made, and Taiyo Nippon Sanso is going to play the role of management for a hydrogen plant and the development of supply system.