CMB, ITOCHU Corporation and Nippon Coke & Engineering Company join forces to build a company dedicated to local hydrogen production
Since 2017, CMB has developed a wide variety of hydrogen powered applications, both for the maritime and port industry. CMB has also developed the world's first 1 MW dual fuel engine in a joint venture with ABC Engines (BeHydro). In April this year, it plans to start the commercial operation of passenger ships with a dual fuel engine in the Setouchi area.
In Japan, hydrogen is seen as the key technology for becoming carbon-neutral. Especially in the shipping industry, the practical application of engines that can directly burn hydrogen and ammonia is considered a pressing issue. Compared to fuel cells, hydrogen-powered dual fuel engines can reduce initial investment costs and be introduced without compromising performance and reliability.
NCE owns a plant in the northern Kyushu island region, one of the largest industrial areas in Japan, where it can establish stable hydrogen supplies to meet demand in the area.
By utilising its networks in Japan and other countries, ITOCHU will aim to complete the project at an early stage and introduce it to other regions. Furthermore, based on the actual demand created by the model of local production for local consumption of hydrogen, which is rooted in each region, the company will also seek to participate in large-scale hydrogen production projects in other countries.
Through these activities, ITOCHU will steadily implement "Strengthening contribution and initiatives for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s)” - a basic policy of the next medium-term management plan. ITOCHU has been involved in primary energy for many years and has a strong business relationship with steel mills and power plants, which will be consumers of hydrogen in the future.
In the future the three companies will determine the demand for hydrogen in the northern Kyushu Island region and obtain the necessary government approvals and licences, and then aim to launch the hydrogen supply chain in FY2023.
