Iwatani Corporation's hydrogen fuel cell ship operating during the Expo
At a dockside unveiling ceremony on March 21 at Universal City Port in Osaka’s Konohana Ward, Iwatani President Hiroshi Mashima declared, “We hope that many people will use it as a 'moving pavilion' and experience the social implementation of hydrogen.” The event was attended by company executives and the Expo’s official mascot, Myakumyaku.
Measuring 33 meters long and 8 meters wide, Mahoroba has a two-story passenger deck and can carry up to 150 people. It will operate three times a week during the Expo, cruising between Nakanoshima, Universal City Port, and the Yumeshima Expo grounds at a speed of about 20 kilometers per hour. Fares for the one-way trip from Universal City Port to Yumeshima are set at 3,000 yen [$20 USD], with reservations available online.
This ship isn’t just another showpiece. It’s the first hydrogen fuel cell vessel to enter commercial operation in Japan—and one of the few globally. The propulsion system runs on electricity generated by a hydrogen-oxygen chemical reaction, producing zero carbon dioxide emissions, minimal noise, and low vibration. “Hydrogen has the potential to be used as a fuel for transportation such as trains and airplanes. We hope that through the Expo, people will feel closer to hydrogen,” Mashima added.
Mahoroba is equipped with hydrogen tanks onboard, with some of the fuel sourced from hydrogen produced using electricity from Kansai Electric Power’s nuclear plant—underscoring Japan’s layered approach to decarbonization and energy security.
While the ferry’s operation is currently limited to three days per week during the Expo, its broader role is clear: to introduce hydrogen-powered transportation to the public in a tangible, high-visibility way. With Japan aiming to lead the global hydrogen economy, Mahoroba is both a vessel and a message.
