Carbon-Neutral Port Initiatives

Ports are logistics hubs handling more than 99 percent of Japan’s imports and exports as well as industrial centers where various companies are located. The city of Yokohama contains the Port of Yokohama, one of Japan’s leading ports, and is making efforts to transform it into a carbon-neutral port (CNP) with net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The measures to achieve this include upgrading port functions with consideration for decarbonization based on large-volume import, storage, and use of next-generation energy such as hydrogen and ammonia, and concentrating industry facilities in the waterfront district. The goal is to make the port carbon-neutral by 2050.
The waterfront district of Yokohama accounts for about 40 percent of its total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Decarbonization of this district will therefore play a key role in achieving carbon neutrality for Yokohama as a whole. For this reason, the city is taking action to create a CNP through collaboration with MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), private companies, and neighboring municipal governments.

The waterfront area of Yokohama plays a central role in the city’s regional economy and has potential as a leader for decarbonization in Japan due to its diverse concentration of different companies. Therefore, the City is working toward the formation of a base for the import, production, and supply of next-generation energy sources such as hydrogen, ammonia, synthetic methane, and synthetic fuels that will contribute to decarbonization in the waterfront area of Yokohama. The Yokohama Decarbonization Innovation Council was established to enhance and lead decarbonization in Yokohama through the creation of decarbonization innovation through industry-academia-government partnerships, such as collaborations with local businesses that aim to pioneer the research, development, and utilization of next-generation energy and technology.

【Past Conferences】
1st: August 8th, 2023

To achieve decarbonization of its waterfront district, Yokohama created the Yokohama Port CNP Council. The objective of this council is to hold conferences to have businesses in the waterfront district, people with relevant knowledge and experience, and administrative institutions promote decarbonization while sharing information and collaborating with each other.
【Past Conferences】
3rd: July 11th, 2023
2nd: February 13th, 2023
1st: August 25th, 2022

In July 2022, Yokohama and Kawasaki concluded an agreement on collaboration for expanded use of hydrogen and other types of next-generation energy in their waterfront districts.
Yokohama and Kawasaki are next to each other. One of Japan’s largest industrial complexes is in Kawasaki. The two cities concluded the agreement in order to become more effective in achieving carbon neutrality and constructing supply chains.

In December 2022, Ibaraki and Yokohama concluded an agreement to collaborate on decarbonization and industrial revitalization.
Ibaraki and Yokohama signed a collaborative agreement to strengthen the shipping network to improve convenience for cargo owners and promote the attraction and acceptance of cruise ships.

In November 2021, the City of Yokohama and ENEOS Corporation concluded an agreement to collaborate on the establishment of a hydrogen supply chain.
Through this agreement, the city will aim for the Port of Yokohama to became a carbon-neutral port and work on decarbonization in the waterfront district. The City of Yokohama and ENEOS will strive to achieve a “hydrogen society” by developing and implementing a hydrogen supply infrastructure using pipelines.

Yokohama is implementing an investigative study on the use of hydrogen for CNP formation. This study was adopted by the program for studies of hydrogen manufacturing and use potential commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). [Click here for the Report（PDF：1,286KB）]

Yokohama is making efforts to encourage the widespread use of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is the sole next-generation ship fuel currently available for practical use. As part of our measures to become a strategic international container port, we are preparing functions for supply of LNG-fueled ships, the number of which is steadily increasing, and establishing the Port of Yokohama as a supply hub.

In May 2022, the City of Yokohama concluded a MoU with NYK Line（外部サイト）, etc. for Acceptance of Ammonia-Fueled Tugboat (Press release on May 23rd, 2022)

MOU with A.P. Moller-Maersk（外部サイト） and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.（外部サイト） on Promotion of Green Methanol Use in the Port of Yokohama Concluded (Press release on December 27th, 2023（PDF：375KB）)

Yokohama City is the only port in Japan to use the Maritime Emissions Portal, developed by RIGHTSHIP Pty. Ltd., a maritime platform specializing in ESG, to make a carbon neutral port. Through the Maritime Emissions Portal, we will strive for more accurate volume of emissions from vessels, and to make a carbon neutral port by promoting DX. (Press release on October 31th, 2023（PDF：576KB）)

In July 2023, five companies and two associations established the "Promotion Council for Zero Emission Chargers for Ships", which aims to promote the widespread use of standardized shore-to-ship power stations. The City of Yokohama participates in the council as an observer. (Learn more（PDF：764KB）)

In June 2022, we visited the onshore power supply facility (OPS) of the cruise terminal Altona and attended a workshop

In May 2023, the City of Yokohama signed a partnership agreement with PowerX to explore the utilization of battery tankers (Learn more（外部サイト）)

Green Shipping Corridor (GSC) is a newly proposed concept for decarbonizing shipping and port management that is gaining popularity worldwide. GSC is an initiative to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from shipping and port activities by introducing new technologies into the shipping routes connecting ports, and through public-private partnerships and policies.
The City of Yokohama is working toward the formation of the GSC with following ports.
Port of Los Angeles, Port of Oakland, Port of Long Beach, Ports of Republic of Singapore

February 2024 - The Minister of Transport, Republic of Lithuania Visit the Port of Yokohama (Learn more)

February 2024 - The Port of Yokohama introduce the Carbon Neutral Ports Initiatives to Ms. Diana Acconcia, Director for International Affairs and Climate Finance, DG CLIMA, European Commission (Learn more)

December 2023 - The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan and the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Singapore Sign a MOC for Green Shipping Corridor (Learn more)

December 2023 - The Port of Yokohama and the Port of Miami Sign a MOU (Learn more)

November 2023 - Delegates from European Parliament, Committee on Transport and Tourism Visit the Port of Yokohama (Learn more)

October 2023 - Participation in Japan-California "Port Decarbonization and Green Shipping Corridor Symposium" (Learn more)

October 2023 - The Port of Yokohama and the Port of Long Beach Sign a LOI for Green Shipping Corridor (Learn more)

October 2023 - The Port of Yokohama and the Port of Oakland Sign a MOU for Green Shipping Corridor (Learn more)

October 2023 - The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Introduces the Port of Yokohama's Initiatives at a Workshop in Mumbai, India (Learn more)

September 2023 - Discussions Held with Mr. Stefan Wenzel, Parliamentary State Secretary of Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany (Learn more)

August 2023 - Delegates from Sarawak, Malaysia, Visit the Port of Yokohama (Learn more)

May 2023 - The Minister of Energy, Mineral Resources and Low Carbon Innovation of the Province of B.C. Visit the Port of Yokohama (Learn more)

May 2023 - The Port of Yokohama and Ulsan Port Authority Discuss Decarbonization of Ports (Learn more)

March 2023 - The Port of Yokohama and Port of Los Angeles Sign a MOU for Decarbonization of Ports (Learn more)

March 2023 - Holding the Sister Ports Meeting between Oakland and Yokohama (Learn more)

September 2022 - Mayoral Delegation from Los Angeles Visit the Port of Yokohama for Discussion on the Decarbonization of Ports. (Learn more)

March 2022 - Yokohama introduced its port initiatives at the Japanese-U.S. workshop for port decarbonization