Japanese consortium secures AiP for ship featuring innovative low-speed hydrogen-fueled engine

A Japanese consortium, featuring two Mitsui-owned shipping companies, engineering firms Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG), and Onomichi Dockyard, has received the world's first Approval in Principle (AiP) from Japanese classification society ClassNK for a groundbreaking ship design. This pioneering vessel boasts a large low-speed two-stroke hydrogen-fueled engine as its primary propulsion system, marking a significant milestone in hydrogen-powered maritime technology. The consortium plans to construct and demonstrate this innovative vessel over a two-year period beginning in 2027, with support from the Japanese government's Green Innovation Fund (GIF).

Image source: HydrogenInInsight

The vessel will incorporate J-ENG's liquefied hydrogen (LH2) engine and Kawasaki's hydrogen fuel-supply system, with Onomichi Dockyard handling the integration. Although the cost of the demonstration and the exact proportion of government funding remain undisclosed, the GIF has previously allocated around ¥800 billion ($5.7 billion) to subsidize hydrogen-related technology. Furthermore, the Japanese government has announced an additional $100 billion investment to develop a hydrogen supply chain. This AiP achievement coincides with developments in ammonia and methanol as alternative shipping fuels, signaling a shift away from pure hydrogen due to cost and complexity concerns.

Source: HydrogenInInsight