Japan Launches First Hydrogen-Powered Tugboat
Japan’s Tsuneishi Shipbuilding has launched the country’s first tugboat equipped with a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine.
The 38-meter-long tugboat, developed as part of The Nippon Foundation’s Zero Emission Ships Project, was launched on March 28. It features twin 12-cylinder hydrogen-blended engines (4,400 horsepower class) that reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 60% compared to conventional tugboats.
The vessel can store 250 kg of high-pressure hydrogen gas and operate with traditional marine fuels in case of a hydrogen system failure, ensuring safety. Additionally, the hull is constructed using JGreeX, a green steel material that contributes to a 100% emissions reduction caused by steel plates.
Key Features of the Hydrogen-Powered Tugboat:
- Hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines
- Reduces CO2 emissions by 60%
- Can operate with traditional marine fuels as a backup
- Constructed with JGreeX green steel material
Nishijima Takanori, General Manager of the Design Division at Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, stated, “We have successfully launched our first hydrogen-fuelled tugboat and will continue to develop new fuel vessels to achieve carbon neutrality.”
The shipbuilder is also working on methanol-fuelled, LNG-fuelled, and hydrogen-fuelled vessels to contribute to the decarbonization of the maritime industry. In 2024, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding launched a research & development center in collaboration with CMB.TECH to advance hydrogen engine technology for ships and heavy-duty applications.
