Alternative Fuels

Hycamite gets DNV AiP for concept to convert LNG into hydrogen onboard ships

Concept design of a carbon capture system can potentially reshape the future of shipping by enabling onboard hydrogen generation from LNG without requiring new fuelling infrastructure.

Published

8 months ago

November 13, 2025

Admin

Hycamite gets DNV AiP for concept to convert LNG into hydrogen onboard ships

Finland-based tech company Hycamite on Tuesday (11 November) said it has been awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) by classification society DNV for its concept design of a pre-combustion, solid-form carbon capture system that produces hydrogen from LNG onboard ships using Hycamite’s Thermo-Catalytic Decomposition (TCD) technology.

This is the first time DNV has recognised this type of technology in an AiP.

This technology can potentially reshape the future of shipping by enabling onboard hydrogen generation from LNG without requiring new fuelling infrastructure. By capturing carbon in solid form, it also supports the creation of a circular carbon economy while at sea, offering a practical path to decarbonize LNG-powered vessels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across global fleets.

Hycamite’s proprietary Thermo-Catalytic Decomposition (TCD) technology offers a new approach to producing clean hydrogen by breaking down methane, the primary component of liquefied natural gas (LNG), into hydrogen gas and solid carbon.

Unlike conventional methods that emit carbon dioxide, Hycamite’s process uses heat and recyclable catalysts in an oxygen-free environment, resulting in zero CO₂ emissions and generating valuable solid carbon byproducts such as graphite and carbon nanofibers.

This innovation is notable for its ability to tackle the challenges of decarbonization in maritime transportation. Hycamite’s promising new solution with methane-splitting technology may enable the use of hydrogen onboard larger LNG-powered deep-sea vessels.

The onboard system allows vessels to convert LNG into hydrogen during operation, providing a clean fuel source for dual-fuel engines or fuel cells. Simultaneously, the solid carbon is captured and stored onboard, eliminating the need for liquid hydrogen infrastructure and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. If biomethane is used as a fuel, operation of the vessel is potentially carbon negative.

“This milestone marks a significant step forward in sustainable shipping and low-carbon energy innovation,” said Laura Rahikka, CEO of Hycamite.

“DNV’s Approval in Principle highlights the viability of our methane-splitting technology and its potential for maritime applications. By enabling onboard hydrogen production from LNG and capturing carbon in solid form, our solution offers a practical alternative to liquefied hydrogen while dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

“At DNV there is nothing that makes us more proud than helping to enable the deployment of truly novel technologies,” added Torill Grimstad Osberg, Senior Principal Expert in the Alternative fuels and piping systems section at DNV Maritime.

“This AiP is the first time we have recognized a pre-combustion carbon capture technology designed for shipboard hydrogen production, and we congratulate Hycamite on their innovative and forward-looking approach to tackling shipping’s decarbonization challenge. Because as the maritime industry works towards net zero, finding new fuel solutions that are efficient, scalable and green is vital. We look forward to building on this cooperation and are ready to put our expertise towards helping to safely realize the benefits of this innovative technology.”

Photo credit: Hycamite
Published: 13 November, 2025

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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.

Published

17 hours ago

July 21, 2026

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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

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.

Published

17 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

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

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.

Published

17 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

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