Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced that its ambitious Wind Hunter Project, a pioneering zero-emission initiative focused on utilizing wind power to produce hydrogen, has been officially selected by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The project will participate in a national research initiative dedicated to exploring the potential for achieving a hydrogen society.
Wind Hunter Project
MOL (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines) is making significant strides in its Wind Hunter project, launched in November 2020, which aims to realize a decarbonized, hydrogen-based society by utilizing offshore wind energy to produce hydrogen onboard vessels and supply it to the onshore market.
The project has involved various demonstrations using the demonstration yacht “Winz Maru.” In 2023, MOL participated in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “Tokyo Bay eSG Project – Priority Project.” Building on these efforts, in March of this year, the “Winz Maru” successfully achieved a world first: green hydrogen production with offshore wind and supply to shore.
Looking to the future, assuming a hydrogen value chain is established in Japan, MOL’s ambition is to build and commercialize a demonstration vessel as early as the 2030s. Further showcasing its commitment, a model of the Wind Hunter is currently on display in the “Transportation and Mobility” zone of the “Future City” pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai Japan.
MOL has set an ambitious target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, aligning with its “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2.” To foster a sustainable world, the company is actively pursuing renewable energy projects and working towards the establishment of a clean energy supply chain. This strategic approach aims to contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions not only from MOL’s own operations but also from broader society.
The Hydrogen Production and Utilization Potential Project, which underpins these efforts, is conducting quantitative research through the acquisition of various data. This research focuses on the feasibility of a model that utilizes local resources, such as renewable energy and byproduct gases, to produce, store, and transport hydrogen for the realization of a hydrogen society. It also explores the utilization of hydrogen in business operations and industries where decarbonization through electrification is challenging.
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Source: MOL
