Hydrogen-Only Marine Engine Completes Demonstration

A recent demonstration in Osaka Bay involved a coastal tanker operating with a hydrogen-only combustion engine. The vessel, a 4,500-gross-tonne tanker, undertook a two-hour voyage, covering approximately 33 kilometres.

This initiative is part of a broader project aimed at developing zero-emission vessels for the domestic shipping sector. The engine, developed by a specialised power solutions provider, operates on hydrogen as its primary fuel source, employing a pilot-ignition system.

The vessel's owner and operator managed the retrofitting process and provided crew training for handling hydrogen fuel. The engine developer was responsible for the hydrogen engine and its related equipment.

During the demonstration, an estimated 1.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions were avoided compared to operations using conventional fossil fuels. This aligns with the project's objective to support the development and demonstration of zero-emission technologies.

The project, launched in 2022, involves multiple consortia focusing on hydrogen-fuelled vessel technologies. Its overarching goal is to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality within Japan's domestic shipping sector by 2050.

This demonstration follows an earlier successful operation in April 2024 involving an offshore wind-farm service vessel powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Further demonstrations by other consortia are anticipated by the end of fiscal year 2026.