Members of the Japanese maritime industry are joining with
other leading companies across Japan in the formation of the Japan Hydrogen
Association to promote global cooperation in
hydrogen-oriented activities as well as the establishment of
a hydrogen supply chain. The effort is seen as a key step towards building
Japan’s role in the development of hydrogen technology which is widely seen as
one of the elements that will be used to address carbon emissions and global
warming.
“We have decided to participate in the association because
its initiative – implementation of hydrogen in the society and the
encouragement to develop the hydrogen industry through collaboration with
various stakeholders – is fully aligned with our principle to drive
decarbonization of ourselves and the
Society,” said K Line in announcing its participation in the
association.
In addition to K Line, a total of 87 companies have agreed
to participate in the association, which was first announced in October. In the
fall, a consortium of Japanese companies, includes Iwatani, Kansai Electric
Power, Eneos, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kobe Steel, Toyota Motor, Toshiba,
Mitsui, and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial, announced that they would be among the
founding members. The companies were
forming a committee to draft the formation of the association which they said
would be focused on working together to build global alliances and develop the
hydrogen supply chain.
The association announced a few broad objectives including
considering proposals and the coordination of projects for the social
implementation of hydrogen as well as funding projects. It will lead efforts to
develop policies for the demand creation and deregulation of hydrogen as well
as support education and research both in Japan and internationally.
Between now and February 2021, they plan to identify issues
relating to the widespread use of hydrogen and gather information for policy
proposals. They expect to make their first proposals to the Japanese government
in February 2021.
Japan has been pursuing several initiatives in hydrogen
seeking to establish itself as leading in the field. Last month, five Japanese
companies, including Namura Shipbuilding, Kansai Electric Power, Iwatani, and
the Development Bank of Japan said they would be joining with
the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology,
announcing a project to promote the commercial operation of hydrogen fuel cell
ships. They say they would commence a feasibility study into hydrogen ships.