Motohiro Wada 
Real-time engine operating conditions displayed in the control analysis room at the Hydrogen Engine R&D Center in Hiroshima.(©SANKEI)
A groundbreaking project aimed at achieving a carbon-neutral society has launched in Hiroshima. Hydrogen-fueled ships, recognized as a promising next-generation energy source, are gaining widespread attention.
In September, the Hydrogen Engine R&D Center was established in a shipyard in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, as a dedicated hub for research and development. The center’s ambitious goal is to build and test the world’s first zero-emission ship, powered by a hydrogen engine that produces no carbon dioxide, by 2026.
Japan’s shipbuilding industry, once a global leader, now faces steep competition from government-backed Chinese and South Korean firms.
End-to-End Development
This center, part of The Nippon Foundation’s Zero-Emission Ship Project, is equipped with performance testing facilities and a control analysis room. It supports all stages of development, from hydrogen engine research to ship storage and fueling.
It is the first facility worldwide located within a shipyard to manage these processes end-to-end. A dedicated hydrogen station for ships is planned on adjacent waterfront land, with completion targeted for January 2025. Additional plans include a mobile, floating hydrogen station.
The center is operated by Tsuneishi Group and Japan Hydro, both based in Fukuyama City. Tsuneishi Group focuses on shipbuilding and maritime transport. Japan Hydro is a joint venture backed by CMB Tech, the research and development arm of Belgium’s shipping giant CMB. The companies hope that this project will also serve as a powerful catalyst for Japan's shipbuilding industry.
Japan Hydro successfully launched the Hydro Bingo, the world’s first passenger ship with a diesel-hydrogen co-combustion engine, achieving a 30–50% reduction in CO2 emissions. The company is now advancing in phases to develop a fully zero-emission ship.
Continue reading the full report on Japan 2 Earth, our affiliated website sparking a transition to a sustainable future by spotlighting the latest environmental innovations from Japan.
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(Read the original article in Japanese.)
Author: Motohiro Wada, The Sankei Shinbun
