WATCH: Yokohama waives fees for green fuels

Eligible vessels include those running on green methanol or e-methanol, as well as ships using biofuel blends with a minimum bio-content of 24%. The move supports Yokohama’s wider effort to reduce maritime emissions and reach carbon-neutral operations by 2050.

At the same time, the port is laying the groundwork for methanol bunkering in Japan. Preparations are underway through partnerships with companies including A.P. Moller–Maersk, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical and Idemitsu. Several shipping lines have also already started biofuel bunkering at Yokohama.

The latest measure builds on existing incentives at the port, where LNG-fuelled vessels are already exempt from port entrance fees, excluding LNG carriers and LNG bunkering vessels.

Energy focus

Last year, the Port of Yokohama became the first Japanese port received an IAPH award for a comprehensive energy-transition and finance programme combining 121 subprojects to reduce carbon output while improving digital coordination.

The port is going all out with it’s approach to alternative fuels.

Last summer, Mitsui E&S retrofitted a rubber tyred gantry (RTG) crane at the Yokohama Port Minami-Honmoku Pier Container Terminal with a hydrogen fuel cell power pack, replacing its conventional diesel engine generator.

The initiative forms part of an on-site demonstration project for hydrogen-fuelled cargo handling equipment and supports efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions at ports and contributes to Japan’s broader carbon neutrality targets.