The Nagoya Port Authority recently deployed fuel-cell forklifts for a container terminal operator and private operators doing business at the Port of Nagoya to promote the use of fuel cell industrial vehicles more extensively at container terminals and other facilities. Operating hydrogen refuellers, the port authority also discussed effective ways of delivering hydrogen in port and harbor areas.
The project was led by Suzuki Shokan, a Tokyo-based gas company. Four fuel cell forklifts were provided to Tobishima Container Berth, a terminal operator, as well as a pair of Asahi Unyu Kaisha and Shinko Kaiun, Kamigumi and Toyo Butsuryu, all of which are logistics companies. The forklifts were refueled with hydrogen while in operation for the five days from Aug. 26 through Aug. 30.
As it takes one business day to refuel hydrogen to accumulators after it is taken, hydrogen was supplied every other day during the project. As arrangements had been made with the participants, hydrogen was delivered in hours when truck arrivals and departures as well as forklift use were not frequent.
To secure areas for hydrogen refueling work, it is necessary from a legal point of view to maintain certain distances from nearby sheds and so on. In the project, hydrogen was supplied in parking and other vacant space. It was discovered, as such, that to promote social implementation, it would be important to hold discussions in advance to locate appropriate hydrogen refueling areas.
