Zesst Goes Big in Japan

ZESST by Almatech will be in Japan this week! We are convinced that the Japanese islands will be the first place in Asia where you will find our hydrogen-powered zero-emission hydrofoils vessels. Several reasons explain the great opportunity for our innovative vessels in such a big market, one of the densest regarding ferry transportation since the archipelago has 6,852 islands and the inhabitants have a high income per capita.

First, we signed an MoU with E5 Lab, an institution created in 2019 by four Japanese conglomerates: Asahi Tanker, Exeno, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., and Mitsubishi Corporation. E5 Lab has the mission to “deliver ‘e-value’ in 5 areas: electrification, environment, evolution, efficiency and economics” to tackle the decarbonization of the shipping industry. In other words, ZESST by Almatech could not have had a better partner.

Second, Japan, a massive net importer of fossil fuels, has committed to reducing its emissions and embarked on some of the most innovative renewable energy projects. Concerning hydrogen, Power Magazine brings an article about the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field, better known as FH2R. The project, launched a few years after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, uses a 20-MW solar PV array to power an electrolyzer that produces, stores and supplies up to 1,200 Nm 3/hr of hydrogen. The goal is truly ambitious: to explore how hydrogen generators and pure hydrogen fuel cells can deliver clean energy for industries, including transportation. Toshiba is the company in the driver’s seat.

Third, Japan is also among the countries leading the decarbonization of the shipping industry. Among the many newbuilds and retrofittings taking place in the country stands out the world’s first pure battery EV tanker, “Asahi,” which started operations this year. The vessel has on board large-capacity lithium-ion batteries which power all its operations, including cargo handling, berthing/unberthing, and navigation. It has no main diesel engine, which reduces noise, vibration and oil smells. Asahi Tanker, as we mentioned above, is a member of the conglomerate that created E5 Lab.