Japan’s first tugboat, ‘Ten-Oh’, powered by BeHydro dual-fuel hydrogen engines was recently completed by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, in what is considered a major step forward in demonstrating the readiness of hydrogen technology for real-world marine applications.
The two BeHydro V12 dual-fuel hydrogen engines each deliver 1,618kW at 968 rpm. These engines offer the same operational capability as conventional marine propulsion while enabling significant CO₂ reductions, proving that hydrogen can power demanding working vessels without compromise.
The tugboat forms part of The Nippon Foundation’s Zero Emission Ships Project, an ambitious programme aimed at accelerating the development of vessels with significantly reduced or zero carbon emissions. Equipped with high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks, Ten-Oh can operate using hydrogen-blended fuel and seamlessly switch to marine fuel if required, ensuring the same high safety standards as traditional vessels.
The delivery of Ten-Oh is also a milestone for JpnH2ydro, which supplied the fuel systems and hydrogen technologies that make this vessel possible.
Image: ‘Ten-Oh’ hydrogen-fuelled tug (source: BeHydro)
