MOL, e5 Lab to jointly develop hydrogen hybrid car carrier

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and Japanese technology company e5 Lab have agreed to conduct a joint study of a hybrid pure car carrier equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system and large-capacity batteries.

The two companies aim to develop a hydrogen hybrid vessel which does not emit CO2, SOx, NOx, or particulate matter while underway in coastal waters or in ports since its propulsive force would come from electricity supplied by the hydrogen fuel cell system and its batteries.

MOL claims that, during navigation in the open sea, the vessel’s motor would be powered by an LNG-fuelled generator and the large-capacity batteries, resulting in significantly lower emissions compared to current vessels equipped with diesel engines that run on heavy fuel oil (HFO).

Both companies will first conduct technological and business feasibility studies of the hydrogen hybrid PCC. When they gain positive results, they will move on to the next phase of joint development for a practical demonstrator vessel based on the results of the studies.