Mitsui E&S has retrofitted a near-zero emission, diesel engine, rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) crane at Japan’s Yokohama Port Minami-Honmoku Pier Container Terminal with a hydrogen fuel cell power pack.

The RTG is now undertaking zero-emissions field trials at the container terminal, owned and operated by Utoc Corporation.

“For many years, Mitsui E&S has been developing cargo handling equipment utilising hydrogen fuel, laying the foundation for achieving zero emissions at ports,” the company says in a statement.

In May 2024, Mitsui E&S deployed the world’s first hydrogen-powered RTG for trials at Yusen Terminals at the Port of Los Angeles.

“The near-zero emission type [of RTG] is designed with the premise of retrofitting to hydrogen fuel cells,” Mitsui E&S explains. 

“It is equipped with a larger lithium-ion battery compared to the current hybrid model, allowing for the downsizing of the diesel engine. This model enables an easy transition to zero-emission operation once hydrogen supply infrastructure is in place.”

Mitsui E&S says it will continue to “promote technological development aimed at reducing the environmental impact of ports through the provision of cargo handling equipment products and services powered by hydrogen fuel”.