The Institute of Logistics Strategy introduces port decarbonization efforts

Director Kikuchi (right) and Vice Director Seizo Matsura of the Institute of Logistics Strategy

The G7 Transport Ministers' Meeting was held from June 16 to 18 in Ise-Shima, Mie. During the meeting, exhibition booths of related organizations were set up in the lobby of the Shima Kanko Hotel, the venue of the meeting. The Institute of Logistics Strategy (Director: Michio Kikuchi) of the Japan Association of Cargo-handling Systems (JACMS, Chairman: Hiroshi Kanazawa) presented an exhibit on their efforts to decarbonize ports and harbors, as well as decarbonization technologies for port cargo-handling equipment.

At the ministerial meeting, the ministers exchanged views on the direction of efforts toward a sustainable transportation system, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. On the last day, the G7 Transport Ministerial Declaration was adopted. They have pledged to support the establishment of green shipping corridors worldwide to promote the reduction of GHG emissions through the development of decarbonized ports and harbors. It includes the promotion of zero and near-zero emission cargo handling equipment, land power supply, and zero- and near zero-emission fuel bunkering.

Measures related to carbon neutral ports (CNP) were introduced at the booth of the Institute of Logistics Strategy. Panel exhibits included decarbonization of port cargo-handling equipment, zero-emission container terminals (CT) using green hydrogen, and AI terminals.

In addition, the world's largest ring lift crane for offshore wind turbine assembly from IHI Transport Machinery, a member company of JACMS, and a hydrogen fuel cell mounted RTG from Mitsui E&S were introduced using a range of panels and videos. The hydrogen engine from iLabo, which combusts hydrogen directly in the engine, was exhibited using panels and a video showing its introduction into tractor engines in CT, and the actual cylinder head of the hydrogen engine was brought into the booth for display.

These exhibits from the Institute of Logistics Strategy received a high level of interest from the meeting attendees. Director Kikuchi and Shiraishi, senior executive director of JACMS, gave detailed explanations to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuo Saito and Mie Prefecture Governor Katsuyuki Ichimi at the booth. Minister Saito said, "I would like to express my gratitude for your efforts to address the important theme of technology development for the decarbonization of ports and harbors. I hope you will continue to cooperate in promoting CNP measures."

The Institute of Logistics Strategy will continue to develop and promote decarbonization technologies for port operations and green international container logistics, in close cooperation with the Ports and Harbours bureau of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, in order to steadily realize the goals set forth in the G7 Transport Ministerial Declaration.