- Demonstration project for commercialization of vessels with High-power fuel cells begin.
- Using FCs will be helpful in completely eliminating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during navigation.
- FC vessel operation together with a demonstration supply of hydrogen fuel will be carried out in 2024.
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) approved the demonstration project for the commercialization of high-power Fuel Cell (FC) vessels, reports NYKLine.
Companies involved
NYK Line, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), and ENEOS Corporation (i.e., “the Companies”) are pleased to announce that the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has approved the Companies’ participation in a demonstration project for the commercialization of high-power Fuel Cell (FC) vessels.
Japan’s effort to reduce GHG emission
Commercial FC vessel
The project beginning in September 2020, is Japan’s first effort to develop a commercially available FC vessel and carry out a demonstration operation involving the supply of hydrogen fuel.
GHG elimination
By using FCs as a power source, it will be possible to completely eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during navigation.
What is the target?
The Companies will develop an about 150 ton class, that has a passenger capacity of approx.100, high-power FC vessel. The vessel will function as a medium-sized tourist ship. The demonstration operation of the FC vessel together with a demonstration supply of hydrogen fuel will be carried out in 2024.
Feasibility study
The companies said they will begin an FC vessel and hydrogen-fuel-supply feasibility study in September 2020 and start designing the vessel and hydrogen-fuel-supply equipment in 2021.
Construction and production
Construction and production is expected to start in 2023. The pilot operation of the vessel along the coast of Yokohama port is scheduled to begin in 2024.
Momentum for decarbonization
With the entry into force of the Paris Agreement in 2016, global momentum for decarbonization has increased, and reducing GHG emissions has become an issue in the shipping sector.
In 2018, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) set a goal of halving GHG emissions from the international shipping sector by 2050 and reaching a target of zero as early as the end of this century.
High-power FC to larger vessels
The utilization of FC systems in transport beyond passenger cars is cited as an issue in the action plan of industry, academia, and government for the realization of a hydrogen society in the “Strategy for Developing Hydrogen and Fuel-Cell Technologies ” formulated by the Japanese government in 2019.
From the development of small FC vessels (gross tonnage less than 20 ton) that have already been promoted in Japan, the spread and expansion of high-power FC to larger vessels is expected.
Overview of demonstration project
The Companies will target newly constructed domestic vessels in the entire vessel value chain (i.e., hydrogen equipment development, hull design and construction, operation, fuel supply), focusing on the following items:
- Implementation of high-power FC system on vessels and development of operation technology.
- Development of onboard hydrogen fuel supply system/equipment; development of energy management system (EMS) combining FC and storage battery.
- Development of hydrogen fuel supply system.
- Application to vessels through new vessel design and development (i.e., newly design and develop the vessel’s hull so that it can optimally operate with FC as power)
Role of each Company participating in the demonstration project
| NYK Line | Project management, ship design and legal compliance |
| Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation | Implementation of high-power FC system on vessels and development of operation technology |
| Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. | Development of onboard hydrogen fuel supply system and EMS |
| Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) | Safety assessment of FC vessel |
| ENEOS Corporation | Development of hydrogen fuel supply system |
* Implemented with the grant of New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)
Schedule
Period: September 2020 to the end of February 2025 (planned)
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Source: NYKLine
