A trial of hydrogen-fuelled forklifts at the Japanese Port of Nagoya has highlighted the importance of strategic planning for any operations looking to adopt hydrogen power.

While the trial was held between August 26 and 30 of 2024, the first public statement since its completion has only just been released by the Japan International Freight Forwarders Association (JIFFA).

Led by Tokyo-based gas company Suzuki Shokan and the Nagoya Port Authority, four hydrogen-cell powered forklifts were deployed at the port’s Tobishima Container Berth. Further hydrogen-powered forklifts were deployed to logistics providers Asahi Unyu Kaisha, Shinko Kaiun, Kamigumi and Toyo Butsuryu, all of which operate at the port.

The refuelling process for the hydrogen-cell powered forklifts at the port was a key talking point throughout the trial and will be a focus for future projects.

“As it takes one business day to refuel hydrogen to accumulators after it is taken, hydrogen was supplied every other day during the project,” JIFFA states. “As arrangements had been made with the participants, hydrogen was delivered in hours when truck arrivals and departures as well as forklift use were not frequent. 

“To secure areas for hydrogen refuelling work, it is necessary from a legal point of view, to maintain certain distances from nearby sheds and so on. 

“In the project, hydrogen was supplied in parking and other vacant space. It was discovered, as such, that to promote social implementation, it would be important to hold discussions in advance to locate appropriate hydrogen refuelling areas.”

JIFFA says the trial of the hydrogen-powered forklifts was to “promote the use of fuel cell industrial vehicles more extensively at container terminals and other facilities”.