Green hydrogen produced from offshore wind using the demonstration yacht Winz Maru has been supplied on shore in the central breakwater area of Tokyo in the “Wind Hunter Project”. This is a zero-emission project utilising wind power and hydrogen promoted by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).
It marks the first time in the world that a ship has supplied green hydrogen, produced on its own while underway, for use on shore.
From 2021 to 2023, MOL conducted a demonstration test in Omura Bay (Sasebo City) with the Winz Maru and successfully completed all phases of hydrogen production, storage and usage of stored hydrogen on board. Since 2023, MOL has focused on supplying domestically produced green hydrogen from the Winz Maru in Tokyo Bay to onshore facilities.
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Green hydrogen to MCH
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) on board 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.
MOL plans to continue its green hydrogen production activities in Tokyo Bay, producing about 100 Nm3 of hydrogen (the equivalent of about 200 litres of MCH) in FY2025, while at the same time supplying electricity to a trailer home and other facilities in the central breakwater area of Tokyo.
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Large demonstration vessel
MOL is also working on supplying hydrogen and studying a large demonstration vessel based on the Wind Hunter. Assuming that the hydrogen value chain will be established domestically in the future, the company aims to construct and commercialise a large demonstration vessel as early as the 2030s.
Additionally, a model ship of the Wind Hunter will be exhibited in the “Transportation and Mobility” zone of the “Future Society Showcase” pavilion at the 2025 World Exposition (“Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan”), which will be held from Sunday, 13 April this year.
Picture (top): The Winz Maru in Tokyo Bay (photo by MOL).
