Recently, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Yanmar Power Technology Co., Ltd., and Japan Engine Corporation have successfully completed the world’s first land-based operational demonstration of a marine hydrogen fuel engine.
This test was conducted at Japan Engine Corporation’s headquarters factory, using a newly installed liquid hydrogen fuel supply system. This system, manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, can store and gasify liquid hydrogen, and supply hydrogen to the hydrogen fuel engines developed by the three companies via both high-pressure and low-pressure methods. These engines include a low-speed two-stroke main propulsion engine, a four-stroke auxiliary engine, and a four-stroke main engine for electric ships.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Yanmar successfully demonstrated hydrogen combustion in a medium-speed four-stroke engine, confirming stable operation at rated output power, with the goal of achieving zero emissions. Development work will continue to further improve engine performance.
Japan Engine Corporation is developing a low-speed two-stroke hydrogen fuel engine, scheduled to begin operation around the spring of 2026.
A common feature of these three engines is their ability to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while maintaining redundancy through a dual-fuel system that allows switching between hydrogen fuel and diesel fuel as needed. Following the successful land-based demonstration, the three companies plan to conduct shipboard trials in cooperation with shipowners and shipyards to promote practical application.
It is understood that this is part of the “Next-Generation Ships” development project under Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), which falls under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Yanmar, and Japan Engine Corporation are jointly conducting the development work for “Marine Hydrogen Fuel Engines, Marine Hydrogen Fuel Storage Tanks, and Fuel Supply Systems (MHFS)”.
Specifically, Kawasaki Heavy Industries will be responsible for developing medium-speed four-stroke engines, Yanmar Power Technology Co. will develop medium-speed and high-speed four-stroke engines, and Japan Engine Corporation will develop low-speed two-stroke engines. The goal is to complete a portfolio of engines capable of meeting various applications by around the 2026 fiscal year. Simultaneously, the three companies plan to cooperate with shipping companies and shipyards to conduct demonstration tests of hydrogen engines on actual ships, working towards the ultimate goal of commercial application.
Additionally, within this project, Kawasaki Heavy Industries will also take on the development of marine hydrogen fuel storage tanks and fuel supply systems (MHFS), working with the respective companies to realize the hydrogen fuel propulsion system. The three companies will collaborate through the joint venture HyEng to develop common technical elements, such as fundamental combustion analysis, materials and sealing technology development, and compliance with classification society rules, and will share testing facilities.
