Mitsui E&S has been selected for a subsidy from Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to accelerate development of a hydrogen refuelling system tailored for next-generation cargo handling equipment, a step toward decarbonising port operations and scaling up the adoption of hydrogen-powered machinery at container terminals.

The project will see Mitsui E&S develop a proprietary system capable of efficiently supplying large volumes of hydrogen fuel to a wide range of equipment types, from rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGCs) to container movers.

The new project builds on Mitsui E&S’s groundbreaking achievement last year: the successful development and demonstration of the world’s first fuel cell-powered RTGC, marking a significant leap in low-emission port equipment.

As port operators and terminal stakeholders look for scalable alternatives to diesel-driven cargo handling systems, fuel cell technology is gaining traction—provided that practical refuelling infrastructure can keep pace. This new hydrogen refuelling system aims to fill that gap.

Mitsui E&S’s system is expected to be modular and scalable, capable of supporting increased adoption across Japanese and international terminals. By enabling faster and more efficient fuelling, the system is seen as a linchpin in expanding the operational feasibility of hydrogen at ports.

The backing from NEDO reinforces Japan’s broader push to build a hydrogen-based economy.

Japan aims to become a global leader in hydrogen by building a comprehensive hydrogen-based economy to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy security. The government’s roadmap includes large-scale production, import, and domestic use of hydrogen across sectors such as transportation, power generation, and heavy industry. Initiatives include subsidies for hydrogen infrastructure, development of fuel cell technologies, and international partnerships for green hydrogen imports. Japan plans to install hydrogen refuelling stations nationwide, support hydrogen-powered vehicles, and scale up usage in ports and factories. These efforts align with Japan’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and fostering sustainable industrial growth.