Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded type approval to BeHydro, a joint venture between CMB.Tech and Anglo Belgian Corporation (ABC), for its hydrogen-powered dual-fuel engine. It is the first type approval for a dual-fuel hydrogen engine.
The new engine, which has a capacity of up to 2.7 MW, offers shipowners the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 85 per cent, with dual-fuel technology allowing the engine to continue supplying power using conventional fuels when no renewable energy or hydrogen is available.
The engine development, showcased at Europort 2023, is aimed at both shoreside operations and shipping use, and paves the way for BeHydro to develop larger capacity hydrogen engines in the future. LR originally awarded approval in principle in September 2020 and has conducted a thorough and comprehensive type approval process to ensure safety and material suitability.
Also read: BeHydro launches 1-MW hydrogen-powered dual-fuel marine engine
Potential of hydrogen
‘This collaboration with BeHydro builds upon our important work as part of the previous approval in principle for their dual-fuel hydrogen engine,’ says Claudene Sharp-Patel, global technical director, Lloyd’s Register. ‘The type approval, a first-of-its-kind for hydrogen engines, demonstrates the potential of hydrogen as a fuel for shipping and underlines LR’s commitment to accelerating the adoption of safe and reliable future fuel technologies.’
Roy Campe, CTO of CMB.Tech, adds: ‘Achieving a type approval on a first of its kind is not an easy process. Therefore, we are pleased to see our own positive test results confirmed by this LR type approval. The robust and cost-effective BeHydro technology is now ready to accelerate the reduction of CO2 emissions throughout the maritime industry.’
Picture: L to R – Tim Berckmoes, CEO of ABC Engines; Peter Van de Graaf, strategic business partner, LR; and Roy Campe, CTO, CMB.Tech.
Also read: World’s first hydrogen-powered tugboat for Port of Antwerp-Bruges nears completion
