Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that their “Wind Hunter Project,” focused on zero-emission technology, successfully produced and delivered green hydrogen onshore in Tokyo. The hydrogen was generated using offshore wind power on their demonstration yacht, “Winz Maru”, reports MOL.
World’s First
This marks the first time in the world that a ship has supplied green hydrogen, produced on its while underway, for use onshore. Between FY2021 and FY2023, MOL conducted a demonstration test in Omura Bay (Sasebo City) with the Winz Maru and completed all phases of hydrogen production, storage, and usage of stored hydrogen onboard.
Since FY2023, in response to the adoption of the “Prior Projects” in the Tokyo Bay eSG Project, MOL has focused on supplying domestically produced green hydrogen from the Winz Maru in Tokyo Bay to onshore facilities. The Winz Maru makes it easy to handle and transport hydrogen, a difficult process for hydrogen gas, by converting produced green hydrogen to methylcyclohexane (MCH) onboard the vessel in Tokyo Bay. To ensure sufficient supply, MOL has modified the MCH tanks and added turbine generators to the vessel. In addition, safety measures have been taken in light of rougher sea conditions in Tokyo Bay compared to Omura Bay.
Continued Path
MOL plans to continue its green hydrogen production activities in Tokyo Bay. In FY2025, they aim to produce approximately 100 Nm3 of hydrogen, equivalent to about 200 liters of MCH. Simultaneously, they will supply electricity to a trailer home and other facilities in the central breakwater area of Tokyo.
MOL is also conducting studies on a demonstration vessel and hydrogen supply chains for their Wind Hunter project. Assuming a domestic hydrogen value chain is established, they aim to construct a demonstration vessel and commercialize it as early as the 2030s.
Furthermore, a model ship of the Wind Hunter will be displayed in the “Transportation and Mobility” zone of the “Future Society Showcase” pavilion at the 2025 World Exposition (“Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan”). This exposition will be held starting Sunday, April 13th of this year.
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Source: MOL
