Hydrogen News

DNV has completed a multi-year study commissioned by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) examining the safety implications of using hydrogen as a fuel in ships.The study, titled Safety of hydrogen for use in ships, concludes that hydrogen-fuelled vessels require a design-based safety approach and recommends the use of secondary enclosures across all hydrogen-carrying components, including those located on open deck.Hydrogen is increasingly being considered as a potential marine fuel, although broader adoption is expected to take time.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Obayashi Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Chiyoda Corporation have established the Japan–New Zealand Hydrogen Corridor. The consortium will study the commercialization of green hydrogen production in New Zealand and export operations to Japan.Hydrogen is expected to play a key role as a clean energy source that does not emit CO2 when burned. Japan has a low energy self-sufficiency rate, and renewable energy accounts for only a limited share of total energy consumption.For this reason…

DRIFT Energy, a leader in ocean-based renewable energy, has signed a collaboration agreement with Enapter to adapt the design of their Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzer technology for deployment at sea. The agreement was formalized during a visit by DRIFT’s CEO, Ben Medland, to Enapter’s production facility in Pisa, Italy, this week.The partnership will accelerate development of the energy storage element of DRIFT’s technology ecosystem, paving the way for the production of over 30 energy ships currently on the company’s order book.

A research-engine test bench at Everllence’s Augsburg site has been upgraded to enable hydrogen combustion.The new development occurred under the umbrella of the HydroPoLEn project, an Everllence partnership with industry leaders and research institutes. The project is supported by funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy within the framework of the Maritime Research Programme.HydroPoLEn is focused on creating sustainable propulsion solutions for the maritime sector, addressing the urgent need for environmentally-friendly technologies in global shipping.

Incat Crowther has begun detailed development and naval architecture on a hydrogen fuel cell-electric fast ferry design, with initial deployment targeted for New York waters.Incat Crowther is working on the design and regulatory approval process for the new 28-metre vessel in partnership with zero-emission vessel developer SWITCH Maritime. The project includes a global team with expertise spanning ferry operations, electric propulsion, and hydrogen system safety. From their office in New York City, SWITCH is actively advancing project development activities beyond vessel design.

With a growing focus on mitigating climate change and progressing toward the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2050 net-zero target, the marine sector is under intense pressure to decarbonize. Today, maritime transport emits nearly one billion tons of CO2 annually, representing roughly 2-3% of all energy-related carbon emissions worldwide .Substantial progress has been made over the past decade in reducing emissions from small commercial and coastal vessels via all-electric and diesel-electric propulsion (DEP) systems.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has published the maritime industry’s first dedicated Guidance Notes for onboard hydrogen generation, providing clarity on the safe design and integration of hydrogen generator technologies on ships.The new Guidance Notes respond directly to growing interest from shipowners, yards and technology developers in producing hydrogen onboard using alternative fuels such as LNG, methanol and ammonia.While hydrogen is widely seen as a key fuel for decarbonization, limited supply and availability of complex bunkering infrastructure significantly slow adoption in shipping.

Yanmar Power Solutions Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Yanmar Holdings, has become the first engine manufacturer in Japan to obtain both type approval certificate1 and NOx certificate2 from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for its pilot-ignition hydrogen-fueled 4-stroke high-speed engine for power generation for domestic coastal vessels as part of the Nippon Foundation’s Zero Emission Ships Project.In 2025, Yanmar Power Solutions was intensifying its land-based demonstration tests utilizing a small amount of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a pilot fuel…

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has published the latest report in its Fuel for thought series, providing an assessment of hydrogen’s potential role in maritime decarbonization. Fuel for thought: Hydrogen examines hydrogen from production and supply through to onboard use, highlighting the fuel’s advantages alongside the safety, infrastructure and cost challenges that currently restrict its adoption. Green hydrogen has the potential to deliver zero tank-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions when used in fuel cells and has a vital role as the building block for e-fuels such as ammonia and methanol.

ABB and HDF Energy have signed a joint-development agreement (JDA) to develop a high-power fuel cell unit for marine applications.The agreement builds on an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ABB and HDF Energy in 2020, envisaging the collaboration.Foreseeing pilot installations in 2028 - 2029 and serial production from 2030, the agreement initiates a significant step forward for developing fuel cells as a commercially viable option to support maritime decarbonization.The…

A world-first demonstration combining tidal power, battery storage, and hydrogen production has been completed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland.The demonstration successfully integrated three technologies – Orbital Marine Power’s O2 tidal turbine, vanadium flow batteries supplied by Invinity Energy Systems, and an ITM Power 670 kW electrolyser, at EMEC’s onshore site on the island of Eday.Multiple energy flow scenarios were trialed. During high generation periods…

JERA Nex bp, a global offshore wind company, has seen the full commissioning into an operational state of a new hydrogen bunkering facility in the Port of Ostend.The Ostend Hydrogen Refueling Station seeks to fill a critical gap in the flow of green hydrogen from production to maritime users, acting as a proof of concept of what is possible in decarbonizing offshore wind at sea. During its demonstration phase in 2025, the station in Ostend will initially serve one hydrogen-powered Crew Transfer Vessel…

Newlight has completed Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) for its hydrogen retrofit package for two- and four-stroke main engines.The system allows existing diesel engines to operate on a blend of hydrogen and conventional fuel, reducing carbon emissions without the need to replace the entire engine.Designed and built to the International Code of Safety for Ship Using Gases or Other Low Flashpoint Fuels Code (IGF Code) and validated to RINA Class Rules for hydrogen fueled ships…

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and the Port of Duqm Company, which oversees port management and terminal operations in Oman, signed a memorandum of understanding at Duqm Economic Forum 2025 to collaborate in the development and connectivity of the port of Duqm.NYK has positioned the Middle East as one of its key strategic regions. On April 1, 2022, NYK established its Middle East region head in Dubai to deepen its regional strategy and enable more agile business development across the area.Oman…

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Yanmar Power Solutions Co., Ltd. and Japan Engine Corporation announced they have successfully conducted the world’s first land-based operation of marine hydrogen engines. The demonstration took place at Japan Engine’s headquarters factory, where a newly installed liquefied hydrogen fuel supply system was utilized.The project is a part of Green Innovation Fund Projects / “Next-Generation Ship Development” of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)…

ClassNK has added Japan's first hydrogen-fueled tugboat TEN-OH to its register, which is built by TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd.This vessel was developed and build under the 'Nippon Foundation Zero Emission Ships Project', a grant program by The Nippon Foundation aimed at developing ships with zero CO2 emissions.Based on discussions among the parties involved during the planning stage of the vessel, ClassNK reviewed the safety requirements and countermeasures for hydrogen-fueled…

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding has delivered Ten-Oh, Japan’s first tugboat equipped with a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine.The 38-meter tugboat is equipped with a BeHydro high-output hydrogen dual-fuel engine and a high-pressure hydrogen gas storage system with large-capacity and supply system, supplied by JPNH2YDRO — a joint venture between Tsuneishi Group and CMB.TECH.The vessel was developed and built under The Nippon Foundation’s Zero Emission Ships Project which aims…

South Korea’s Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) has developed and demonstrated the nation’s first 20kW-class anode-supported solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) system, completing more than 3,000 hours of stable, continuous operation with electrical efficiency above 83%.The project marks a breakthrough for large-scale, low-cost clean hydrogen production, with strong potential applications in energy-intensive industries such as steelmaking, chemicals, and maritime.By using external industrial waste heat at around 200°C to generate steam…

Sperry Marine has been selected to deliver its Integrated Bridge Systems (IBS) for two hydrogen-powered, autonomous-ready container vessels ordered by Samskip Group.The ships, under construction at Cochin Shipyard Limited in India, will be the first in the world to combine zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells with navigation systems prepared for future autonomous operation.Scheduled for delivery in 2027, the 135-metre-long vessels will sail between Oslo Fjord and Rotterdam as part of a green corridor initiative.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have secured an Approval in Principle (AiP) from Lloyd's Register for Floating Ammonia Cracker Unit (FACU), jointly developed by the group for onshore hydrogen supply.FACU is a solution that enables direct hydrogen supply from offshore to onshore by equipping vessels with technology that thermally decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen.It is expected to accelerate the use of hydrogen energy as part of global decarbonization effort.MOL…

Australia-based Provaris Energy has signed an agreement with global energy technology company Baker Hughes.The collaboration marks a significant step forward in the development and deployment of compressed hydrogen solutions for marine transportation and storage, leveraging Provaris’ proprietary H2Leo Barge and H2Neo Carrier alongside Baker Hughes’ compression expertise.The agreement replaces the memorandum of understanding signed in August 2024 and formalizes the technical cooperation between the two companies.

Around 50 vessels have operated on hydrogen as fuel since the pioneering ferry Hydra set sail in 2000.Whether it’s used in fuel cells or combustion engines, its capex and opex are still much higher than an equivalent diesel system, and it’s expected to stay that way until at least 2040.But the real problem with using hydrogen as a fuel is that it takes more energy to make, compress/liquify, transport and store than it provides to a ship.The expectation is that technology will come to the rescue.

ABB has integrated a 3.2MW fuel cell system onboard Feadship Breakthrough.The vessel was constructed by Dutch high-end yacht builder Feadship. Launched in May 2025, the privately-owned 118.8-meter yacht is among the first vessels in the world to feature multi-megawatt fuel cell technology.ABB’s scope of supply comprised the Onboard DC Grid™ power system platform and two 3.2MW Azipod® electric propulsion units, which minimize noise and vibrations on board. ABB’s Power and Energy Management System PEMS™ optimizes energy use on board…