On January 29, Iwatani disclosed to the press for the first time the inboard of the MAHOROBA which is a hydrogen-FC ship planned for use in the EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.　

  The MAHOROBA has been developed as hydrogen-FC ship for a designed accommodation of 150 passengers at the maximum for the first time across the country. 

  As the ship has a hybrid fuel source of the plug-in power and Toyota FC Stack, it is characteristic that there is neither emission of CO₂ nor any environmental load material with less odor, noise and oscillation. 

  Hydrogen of approximate 130kg can be stored at 70MPa in the Toyota-made high-pressure container provided in the ship. In case of filling to capacity, a continuous navigation of 150km is possible at the maximum speed (10 knot, 20km per hour). 

  The ship is designed by Mr. Takumi Yamamoto of world- famous car designer. The exterior appearance is designed with an image featuring a unique silhouette of the Divine Beast which runs with arms and legs on the sea lightly. 

  The inside of the cabin on the first floor also has a feature that the motif of “Energy Brought by Water” such as the reflection of light, ripples and bubbles is applied. 

Navigation between Nakanoshima and EXPO2025 Site Filling of Hydrogen at Kansai Electric Power Nanko Power Station 

 Hydrogen for navigation between Nakanoshima and the EXPO site is supplied at Kansai Electric Nanko Power Station and the ship navigation during the filling period is handled by Osaka Aqua Bus of the Keihan Group. ,

  Regarding the detailed navigation schedule will be disclosed later, at the moment three days per week are planned for one trip/day from the Nakanoshima GATE South Pier to Universal City Port and for five return trips from Universal City Port to the Expo site.

Hydrogen for the MAHOROBA is filled by the dedicated arms which is provided inside the Nanko Power Plant of Kansai Electric to be delivered by compressed hydrogen trailer (20MPa, 3,000Sm³). In order to respond to offshore filling for swaying ships by waves, special arms are provided on the Tokiko-made dispenser, which is said to be also applicable to electricity filling.    

  Yuichi Sano, Director of Hydrogen Value Team expressed his expectation of the MAHOROBA saying, “With the ship to work as a Sea Pavilion we wish to promote possibilities of hydrogen energy and make efforts to cultivate awareness toward a hydrogen energy society. Above all, we wish to push up visitors’ feeling of excitement in the EXPO site.”