First hydrogen RTG crane goes into operation

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach aim to eliminate emissions from all cargo handling equipment by 2030.
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MITSUI E&S Co., Ltd. and its U.S. subsidiary, PACECO Corp. have announced with satisfaction the start of commercial operations of the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered RTG crane , the “MITSUI-Paceco H2-ZE Transtainer crane”, at the Port of Los Angeles.

Development and operation of the first hydrogen RTG crane

In April 2023, MITSUI E&S completed the development of the Transtainer H2-ZE crane at its factory in Oita, Japan, introducing the world’s first hydrogen-powered RTG. During its development, it was confirmed that this crane can match the performance of traditional diesel-powered cranes. To validate the data obtained in the development phase and make future improvements, a Transtainer H2-ZE was delivered to Yusen Terminals Inc. and is now in commercial operation.

This project is part of a larger initiative that includes a demonstration of the supply chain of hydrogenfrom local production of clean hydrogen to consumption in port container handling equipment, partially subsidized by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

Ports seek to eliminate equipment emissions by 2030

Since ports are major emitters of CO₂ and other toxic substances from diesel exhaust, they are actively seeking solutions to eliminate these emissions. In particular, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have set an ambitious goal in their Clean Air Action Plan: to eliminate emissions from all cargo handling equipment by 2030.

Diesel-powered RTG cranes, which are commonly used in terminals, generate significant emissions.

With the use of hydrogen, H2-ZE Transtainer cranes can operate without emitting pollutants and without the need for connection to the power grid, allowing operators to save on civil infrastructure investments and not interfere with current operating procedures. In addition, it is possible to modify the port’ s diesel-powered RTG cranes to run on hydrogen, thereby reducing the time required for terminals to meet port environmental targets.

MITSUI E&S and PACECO promote port decarbonization

Finally, MITSUI E&S and PACECO remain committed to the decarbonization of ports by supplying H2-ZE Transtainer cranes for both new installations and retrofitting existing fleets of diesel-powered cranes.

The adoption of hydrogen-powered cranes contributes to the reduction of emissions and can improve the energy efficiency of port operations. This type of innovation opens the door to a more sustainable and profitable future for the global port industry, promoting a significant change in the way goods are handled and transported in ports around the world.

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Source: mes.co.jp

Photo: pacecocorp

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