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Argus Media: Japanese firms develop hydrogen engines for large ships

Consortium is targeting to develop a line of products that meet various requirements for use as a main or auxiliary marine engine or a power generator.
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Rieko Suda of global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus Media on Tuesday (27 April) published a summary of several Japanese engine manufacturers developing hydrogen marine engines for large, ocean-going ships:

Japanese engine manufacturers have teamed up to attempt to develop hydrogen marine engines for large coastal and ocean-going ships by around 2025, as part of efforts to help the country’s shipbuilders fast-track development of hydrogen-fuelled vessels.

Japanese firms Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), Yanmar Power Technology and Japan Engine today agreed to form a consortium to develop hydrogen-fuelled engines for large commercial vessels operating on domestic and international routes. The group is also targeting to achieve system integration that brings together hydrogen storage and fuelling equipment with a hydrogen fuel propulsion system.

The companies are targeting to complete developing a line of products that can meet various requirements for use as a main or auxiliary marine engine or a power generator. KHI is planning to develop a medium-speed four-stroke engine. Yanmar will work at developing medium- and high-speed four stroke engines, while Japan Engine is to tackle completing low-speed two-stroke engines.

KHI and Yanmar are already participating in projects to develop small hydrogen-powered ferries for domestic routes. KHI and other Japanese firms, including shipping firm NYK Line, are planning to launch pilot operations of a hydrogen-powered fuel cell passenger ferry at Yokohama port in 2024. Yanmar is co-operating with Japanese shipping firm Mitsui OSK Line’s subsidiary Mol Techno-Trade in developing a small hydrogen-fuelled ferry.

Japan is awaiting the official launch of the HydroBingo, the first hydrogen-powered vessel to operate in the country. The 19 gross tonne hydrogen-fuelled ferry is developed by Belgian shipping firm CMB and Japanese shipbuilder Tsuneishi Facilities & Craft.

Demand for hydrogen as a marine fuel is expected to expand as the international shipping industry strives to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50pc by 2050 compared with 2008 levels. A number of countries, including Japan, have also toughened their greenhouse gas commitments to achieve decarbonisation by 2050, prompting Japanese shipbuilders to speed up a shift to greener and zero-emissions vessels and tap decarbonisation potential in competition against their Chinese and South Korean rivals.

 

Photo credit: Argus Media
Published: 28 April, 2021

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
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July 21, 2026

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CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
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ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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