Japan Engine Corporation, based in Akashi, announced that it had completed an engine for large commercial vessels powered by hydrogen, capable of reducing CO2 emissions by 95% or more compared with conventional fuel. The completed engine is scheduled to be installed on a vessel being built by 尾道造船, while 商船三井 plans to conduct a 3-year demonstration operation starting in fiscal 2028.
Japan Engine Corporation, an engine manufacturer based in Akashi, announced a newly developed hydrogen-fuelled engine. The engine is intended for large commercial vessels and is said to be capable of significantly reducing CO2 emissions compared with conventional heavy fuel oil. It is described as the world's first marine engine of its class to use hydrogen.
Completion of the new engine was announced on 8 September, and plans were outlined to install it on a vessel being built by 尾道造船 of Kobe. 商船三井 plans to conduct a 3-year demonstration operation starting in fiscal 2028, with double piping for hydrogen among the safety measures adopted to achieve stable combustion.
In addition to hydrogen engines, Japan Engine completed an ammonia-fuelled engine last year, and ammonia and hydrogen are attracting attention as next-generation marine fuels. However, challenges have also been identified, including the slow adoption and cost of hydrogen and the need to ensure the safety of ammonia.