Green H2 milestone reached

MOL’s demonstration yacht, the Winz Maru, supplied the hydrogen to onshore facilities in Tokyo Bay under the ‘Wind Hunter Project’, a zero-emission initiative using wind power and hydrogen which is being promoted by MOL.

Between 2021 and 2023, MOL successfully completed demonstration tests in Omura Bay, focusing on hydrogen production, storage and usage on board the Winz Maru.

In 2023, MOL began supplying domestically produced green hydrogen from the yacht to onshore facilities, making the process easier by converting green hydrogen into methylcyclohexane (MCH) on board the vessel.

To accommodate the process, MOL modified the MCH tanks and added turbine generators, along with enhanced safety measures due to rougher sea conditions in Tokyo Bay.

Looking ahead, MOL plans to produce approximately 100 Nm³ of hydrogen (about 200 litres of MCH) in 2025 and supply electricity to local facilities.

The company also aims to develop a large demonstration vessel for the Wind Hunter Project, with commercialisation plans set for the 2030s.

A model of the Winz Maru will also be displayed at the 2025 World Exposition in Japan next month, highlighting the project’s potential for a sustainable future.