Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), UNI-X NCT Corporation (UNI-X), and Mitsubishi Logistics Corporation (Mitsubishi Logistics) have established a roadmap toward the goal of achieving zero emissions from all cargo-handling equipment and resultantly carbon neutrality by 2040 at the NYK Tokyo container terminal (NYTT), which is operated by UNI-X, and the NYK Kobe container terminal (NYKT), which is operated by both UNI-X and Mitsubishi Logistics. This target is in line with the carbon neutral port concept* being promoted by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and will promote decarbonization at Japan’s domestic ports.

As the first step toward this goal, the three companies will introduce four of the latest transfer cranes** at NYTT. These cranes have been developed by Mitsui E & S Machinery Co. Ltd. and can have their diesel engines replaced by hydrogen fuel cells in the future.

Height: 25.0 meters
Width: 25.82 meters
Rated load: 40.6 tons

Countermeasures against climate change have been accelerating in Japan in recent years, and NYK Line, UNI-X, and Mitsubishi Logistics have thus established a road map to achieve carbon neutrality ahead of other domestic terminal operators.

Over the next 20 years, the three companies will advocate not only zero-emission transfer cranes but also fossil-fuel-powered cargo-handling equipment and on-site vehicles to encourage decarbonization. By 2040, the companies aim to have all NYTT and NYKT cargo-handling equipment and on-site vehicles contributing to decarbonization. Furthermore, in collaboration with stakeholders, the three companies will accelerate efforts toward the utilization of hydrogen fuel at terminals.

Additionally, the electric power required for the use of gantry cranes will be switched to renewable energy at an early stage to achieve carbon neutrality for the entire terminal.

The process toward carbon neutrality by 2040 has many parts that are linked to future technological development and social implementation, such as the introduction of a new fuel supply system and the development of decarbonization technology for cargo-handling equipment and on-site vehicles.

NYK, UNI-X, and Mitsubishi Logistics will continue to take on the challenge of contributing to the development of a sustainable society in cooperation with stakeholders as a sustainable solution provider aiming for optimal ESG management. ***


* Carbon neutral port concept
Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at ports to zero through the advancement of port functions in consideration of decarbonization promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan.

** Latest transfer crane: Near zero emission transtainer
A new transfer crane, developed by Mitsui E & S Machinery Co. Ltd., that reduces the emission of carbon dioxide and diesel exhaust by downsizing the diesel engine. When the hydrogen supply infrastructure is in place, the specifications are such that zero emissions can be achieved by replacing the diesel engine with a hydrogen fuel cell power supply.

On February 3, NYK released the NYK Group ESG Story, which aims to further integrate ESG into the company’s management strategy and promotes activities that contribute to the achievement of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) through business activities.
https://www.nyk.com/english/news/2021/esg-story_01.html

The Mitsubishi Logistics Group announced on April 30, 2021, that it will promote ESG management and the SDGs. The Group will set six important themes such as safety/security and disaster response, and establish measures, performance indicators, and target values for each theme.
https://www.mitsubishi-logistics.co.jp/english/news/pdf/210430.pdf

NYK Tokyo Container Terminal (Oi Wharf 6/7 Berth)
Location: 2-5-2 Yashio, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Total terminal area: 275,000 m2

NYK Kobe Container Terminal (Rokko Island RC6 / RC7 Berth)
Location: 4-25 Koyochohigashi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo
Total terminal area: 265,264 m2

- Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha
Head office: 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Establishment: September 1885
President: Hitoshi Nagasawa
Website: https://www.nyk.com/english/

- UNI-X NCT Corporation
Head office: 1-28-1, Oi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo (Sumitomo Real Estate Oimachi Ekimae Building), Japan
Establishment: July 1920
President: Yoshiji Ohara
Website: https://www.uni-xnct.com/english/

- Mitsubishi Logistics Corporation
Head office: 1-19-1, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Establishment: April 1887
President: Masao Fujikura
Website: https://www.mitsubishi-logistics.co.jp/english/index.html