Japan’s drive toward port decarbonization has hit a major milestone. Mitsui E&S has officially begun field testing of a hydrogen-powered rubber-tired gantry (RTG) crane, which now operates at Yokohama Port’s Minami-Honmoku Terminal without emitting carbon emissions onsite. The move is a cornerstone in Japan’s efforts to build Carbon Neutral Ports (CNPs).
Originally delivered to Utoc Corporation in September 2023 as a near-zero-emission diesel-electric unit, the RTG has now had its diesel generator completely replaced with a hydrogen fuel cell power pack. The retrofit was contracted in January 2024 by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Kanto Regional Development Bureau, under a program officially called “On‑Site Demonstration of Cargo‑Handling Machinery Fueled by Hydrogen.”
Hydrogen refueling is being provided by Taiyo Nippon Sanso using a mobile hydrogen station, with real-time operational data on reliability, emissions, and safety now being gathered under working port conditions. The demonstration is scheduled to continue through FY2025, with insights set to inform regulatory reforms and technical standardization by FY2026.
“This demonstration is part of the effort to form a Carbon Neutral Port—advancing port functions in a decarbonized manner and building a hydrogen reception environment,” Mitsui E&S stated.
The project builds on Mitsui’s prior success in deploying the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell RTG at the Port of Los Angeles in 2024. The current effort not only reinforces the company’s hydrogen equipment portfolio but also offers the critical “know‑how and track record needed for future hydrogen applications.”
The testing grounds at Minami-Honmoku Terminal District MC-2 will serve as a blueprint for nationwide hydrogen cargo handling deployment, especially in refining refueling logistics and safety management protocols in live terminal settings.
