Japan is Developing Ports to Receive Hydrogen Tankers

The Japanese Government has begun developing port terminals capable of handling large vessels carrying liquid hydrogen. Hydrogen Industry Leaders looks at how the ports will ensure that the country will see a continuous supply of hydrogen.

One of the aims of updating the port network in Japan to receive tankers with hydrogen is to reduce the cost of the resource. This is because according to estimates by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, the cost of procuring hydrogen is around 170 yen per cubic meter.

At the port of Kobe, transported liquified hydrogen is extracted by a cargo handling device called a loading arm system and is stored in an onshore liquefied hydrogen storage tank.

It is said by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kobe Port is the only port currently that can carry such projects.

Now, the Japanese Government is asking municipalities that manage ports nationwide to estimate hydrogen demand and designate multiple ports.