World’s First Hydrogen-Fueled Engine for Large Commercial Vessels Reduces GHG Emissions By Over 95%

As part of NEDO’s “Green Innovation Fund Project / Next-Generation Ship Development”, Japan Engine Corporation (Hereafter, “Japan Engine”), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Hereafter, “Kawasaki”), and Yanmar Power Solutions Co., Ltd. are jointly developing the “Development of Marine Hydrogen Engines and MHFS.”

Japan Engine has completed the world’s first hydrogen-fueled engine for large commercial vessels, the 6UEC35LSGH (Hereinafter, “the engine”). To mark the completion of the engine, it was unveiled to project stakeholders at Japan Engine’s headquarters factory on September 7.

During factory testing, the engine achieved a hydrogen co-firing rate of at least 95%, reducing GHG emissions by more than 95% compared with conventional heavy-fuel-oil engines.

Going forward, as part of the “Blue Harmony” project, the engine will be installed on a 17,500 DWT multipurpose vessel to be built by Onomichi Dockyard Co., Ltd. for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and MOL Drybulk Ltd., with onboard demonstration testing scheduled to begin in April 2028. In addition, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Hereafter, “ClassNK”) will conduct safety assessments throughout each stage of the engine’s development and the vessel’s design, construction and operation.

Press Release