Lomarlabs has entered into a collaboration with Blaze Energy to pilot a third-generation, compact, engine-integrated fuel reformer. It is designed to accelerate the practical adoption of alternative fuels in commercial shipping.
Lomarlabs is a venture catalyst advancing maritime innovation. The collaboration will culminate in a pilot installation on board a Lomar vessel, enabling Blaze Energy to validate its multi-fuel reforming system, under real marine operating conditions.
The Flex-Fuel Reformer converts ammonia, methanol, or LNG into hydrogen directly on board the ship, allowing propulsion and power generation machinery and equipment to efficiently operate on full or partial hydrogen blends to reduce associated emissions without compromising operational flexibility. The installed system will be first proven through ammonia.
Addressing a critical barrier to alternative fuels
Against the backdrop of tightening regulation – including the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and FuelEU Maritime – shipowners face increasing uncertainty around future fuel pathways, fuel availability, and long-term compliance strategies. With vessels representing multi-decade investments, the risk of premature lock-in to a single fuel or propulsion solution has become a central strategic concern.
Blaze Energy addresses this challenge by enabling existing engines to operate efficiently with multiple alternative fuels through compact, engine-integrated fuel reforming. By converting ammonia, methanol, or LNG into hydrogen directly at the engine, the system supports hydrogen-assisted combustion without the need for large standalone equipment or dedicated hydrogen supply chains.
Injecting small quantities of hydrogen accelerates combustion of slow-burning fuels such as ammonia – reducing ammonia slip, improving combustion efficiency, and mitigating methane slip in LNG engines. This allows owners to achieve measurable emissions and efficiency benefits while preserving operational and commercial optionality across fuels.
Also read: Lomar partners with start-up for kite-powered ships
From laboratory validation to pilot
Building on successful laboratory validation, Blaze Energy is preparing for its first marine pilot as the next step toward real-world deployment. The pilot will be installed on board a Lomar vessel and tested under real marine operating conditions, a key validation step towards the first commercial retrofit and newbuild deployments.
The pilot is designed as a capital-efficient first-ship deployment, generating the technical and operational evidence required to progress towards full classification society approval and enable follow-on installations with additional owners and engine OEM partners who seek early engagement in AiP-driven fuel-flexible deployment pathways.
Also read: FAT for hydrogen retrofit on two- and four-stroke engines
Looking ahead
The pilot is scheduled for installation in early 2027, following land-based testing and engagement with classification societies. Both parties view the collaboration as a step toward developing engine-compatible, operationally credible pathways for alternative fuels, grounded in real-world testing rather than assumptions.
Picture: Blaze Energy’s Flex-Fuel Reformer System converts ammonia, methanol, or LNG into hydrogen-enriched fuel blends, enabling fuel flexibility and lower-emission operation through direct engine integration for both retrofit and newbuild deployments (image by Lomarlabs).
