Japanese Consortium Teams Up to Develop Hydrogen Marine Engines for Coastal and Ocean-Going Ships by 2025

As the movement to reduce greenhouse gases accelerates, it is expected that marine engines will also switch to various alternative fuels, and this consortium is expected to expand the supply chain globally in each industry such as power generation and mobility.

The companies will focus on hydrogen fuel, which can achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions. The three companies will collaborate on common technical elements such as basic combustion analysis, materials, seal technology development, and compliance with ship classification regulations, and each company aims to bring the marine hydrogen fuel engine to the market around 2025.

In addition, Kawasaki Heavy Industries will work on the development of medium-speed 4-cycle engines, Yanmar Power Technology will develop medium- and high-speed 4-cycle engines, and Japan Engine Corporation will work on the development of low-speed 2-cycle engines. “We will complete a lineup that can be used in parallel.”

In addition, a hydrogen fuel storage and supply device for ships will be added to realize system integration equipped with a hydrogen fuel propulsion system.

This consortium will contribute to the early construction of hydrogen-fueled ships in the Japanese shipbuilding industry by jointly developing and launching the world’s first marine hydrogen fuel engine based on in-house developed engines equipped with each company’s unique technology. Furthermore, “we aim to revitalize the Japanese maritime industry and realize a sustainable society through the spread and expansion of hydrogen fuel vessels in the future.”