Newlight has completed factory acceptance testing (FAT) for its hydrogen retrofit package for two- and four-stroke main engines that enable greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Next steps include the first vessel installation and harbour acceptance testing.
The system allows existing diesel engines to operate on a blend of hydrogen and conventional fuel, reducing carbon emissions without the need to replace the entire engine.
Designed and built to the International Code of Safety for Ship Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels Code (IGF Code) and validated to RINA Class Rules for hydrogen-fuelled ships, the RINA-approved FAT verified the package’s safety layers, control and monitoring logic, electrical integration, and engine behaviour under representative duty profiles.
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Performance testing
From dock to deep sea, Newlight proved its performance on a four-stroke engine used as genset at a shore-based test and on a two-stroke engine used as main propulsion for a yacht on a sea trial. Greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions were demonstrated while retaining confident control of the engines through real-world sea conditions and load swings, up to full open-water passages.
The company validated precise hydrogen-blend injection timing, load tracking, and continuous thermal/emissions monitoring – plus seamless, instant changeover between conventional fuel and hydrogen to maintain smooth engine performance with no downtime.
Over a focused four-day FAT programme, Newlight exercised the full operating sequence of the hydrogen injection system end-to-end, demonstrating predictable transitions of system states, layered safety in line with applicable regulations, and calm, proportional responses to any alerts. Emergency stops worked from both local and remote controls, and fire and leak detectors were verified to support a safe, easy-to-maintain installation.
Ready for retrofit and HAT
In collaboration with lomarlabs, Lomar, and Aurelia, Newlight’s solution is now ready for retrofit on a commercial vessel with all interfaces set, layouts optimised, and approved according to class rules.
With FAT complete, Newlight now moves into harbour acceptance testing (HAT), which will be conducted under RINA’s supervision, during commissioning of the first vessel.
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Repeatable integration
The maritime sector is moving to reduce emissions from existing fleets without sacrificing availability. By verifying the retrofit at factory level against the IGF Code and RINA Rules, Newlight gives shipowners a practical solution to adopt hydrogen-blend operation on existing in-service engines.
The approach extends the life of the asset, avoids full powertrain replacement, and delivers immediate fuel savings and efficiency while fuel supply chains continue to develop. With HAT and the first installation imminent, Newlight is focused on repeatable integration: standard interfaces to main engines and auxiliaries, straightforward documentation, and commissioning playbooks that shorten time at the yard.
Towards fully integrated hydrogen systems
Evyatar Cohen, Co-Founder, Newlight: ‘What I’m most proud of is the discipline in the controls and safety stack. From the moment the system vents to the moment it injects, every step is validated, logged, and recoverable. Operators get straightforward modes, dependable changeover to conventional fuel, and a retrofit that drops into existing machinery without the need for any vessel modifications.’
‘Looking at the FAT results, I can confidently say that the solution is robust and safety-focused by design,’ adds Patrizio Di Francesco, North Europe Special Projects Manager, Principal Engineer, RINA. ‘Its detection, ventilation, segregation, and shutdown functions align well with the expectations outlined in the safety goals of the IGF Code. The successful execution of this phase brings us closer to realising fully integrated hydrogen systems that meet the stringent requirements of marine operations and international regulatory frameworks.’
Picture: Drawing of an engine room for illustrative purposes (AI).
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