Japan Engine Corporation (J ENG) has been developing a fully Japan-made, large, low speed, two stroke hydrogen-fuelled engine. The 6UEC35LSGH has now successfully begun hydrogen co firing operation in all cylinders.
J ENG and Kawasaki Heavy Industries are jointly engaged in Green Innovation Fund Project “Development of Marine Hydrogen Engines and MHFS” of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). This project takes place in cooperation with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, (MOL), MOL Drybulk, Onomichi Dockyard, and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK).
According to J ENG, it is the world’s first full-scale engine intended for installation on an actual vessel. To date, the engine has achieved a hydrogen co firing ratio of over 95 per cent at 100 per cent load, confirming both GHG reduction effects and stable operation. Verification testing will continue to further optimise performance under hydrogen co firing conditions.
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Long distance, long duration, and high output operations
In recent years, the development and demonstration of hydrogen-fuelled vessels have progressed in Japan and abroad. However, most initiatives focus on short distance, short duration, and low output operations, such as sightseeing boats or tugboats using compressed hydrogen, primarily for domestic coastal or port area applications.
In contrast, this project combines the high efficiency, high output, low-speed two-stroke hydrogen-fuelled 6UEC35LSGH engine with liquefied hydrogen fuel, thereby enabling long distance, long duration, and high output operations. This represents a major technological milestone toward the practical use of large oceangoing hydrogen-fuelled merchant ships.
J ENG has conducted studies on hydrogen-related materials and combustion, as well as durability testing of hydrogen fuel injection systems. The new engine has been developed based on this accumulated knowledge.
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Engine for a 17,5000-DWT vessel
Once full-scale verification is complete, the engine is scheduled for shipment in January 2027 and will be installed as the main engine of a 17,500-DWT hydrogen-fuelled multi-purpose vessel designed and built by Onomichi Dockyard. The MHFS, a hydrogen fuel supply system for this engine, is being developed and manufactured by Kawasaki, and it will also be installed on the vessel.
MOL and Onomichi Dockyard concluded a series of contracts for the construction of the vessel. In addition, through discussions among the relevant parties, agreements were reached on the specifications of various facilities required for the hydrogen-fuelled vessel. The detailed design of the vessel is currently progressing smoothly.
Demonstration operation
The vessel is scheduled to undergo three years of demonstration operation starting in FY2028 under the operation of MOL and MOL Drybulk. Throughout the development of the engine and MHFS, as well as the design, construction, and operation of the vessel, ClassNK will conduct safety evaluations.
Picture (top): Hydrogen-fuelled engine (6UEC35LSGH) (photo by project partners J ENG).
Also read: Liquid hydrogen as the fuel of choice
