Japan’s first hydrogen-fuelled ferry begins service 

The hybrid passenger vessel uses hydrogen and biodiesel as fuels and is a landmark vessel, being the first passenger ship in Japan that can select propulsion energy from a choice of hydrogen fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries and biodiesel fuel to help achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction rates of 53%-100%, compared with conventional vessels of the same class.

Built at the Hongawara Ship Yard Co for MOL subsidiary MOTENA-Sea, the ship uses Yanmar Power Technology’s onboard electric propulsion system to power the ship’s drive using generated electricity.

Yanmar also supplied two hydrogen fuel cells in addition to batteries, biodiesel generators, the power management system, propulsion equipment and remote monitoring.

The 300-kW hydrogen fuel-cell system is made to order. The stated output voltage is 650V DC with a setting range of 450-700V DC. 

Hanaria will begin serving Fukuoka prefecture this month. Passengers will be offered a variety of cruise routes, such as the Worship Cruise, which visits the three shrines facing the Kanmon Straits - Mekari-Jinja, Akama Jingu and Kameyama Hachimangu Shrine; the Kanmon Straits Cruise, which visits famous landmarks such as Kanmon Bridge, which connects Honshu and Kyushu; and the Factory Night View Cruise, showcasing night-time views of Japan’s industrial heritage sites.