Lloyd’s Register (LR) has issued the first type approval certificate for a 100% hydrogen-fuelled, spark-ignited marine engine, awarded to the hydrogen engine developed by BeHydro.
The approval confirms the design meets LR’s requirements for safety, performance and reliability in marine applications. The engine was developed and tested at ABC Engines’ facility in Ghent, Belgium, and is designed to operate entirely on hydrogen, without the need for pilot fuels. This simplifies system design and removes onboard carbon emissions at source, positioning the technology as a practical option for operators exploring zero-carbon propulsion. The approval is considered a significant step in the certification and commercial readiness of hydrogen-fuelled propulsion technology for maritime applications.
Claudene Sharp-Patel, LR Global Technical Director, said: “The issue of this type approval certificate demonstrates that hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine technology is continuing to mature as a viable option for maritime applications. For shipowners and operators, independent certification is essential in building confidence that emerging fuel technologies can meet the industry’s expectations for safety, reliability and operational performance.”
Tim Berckmoes, CEO ABC Engines, added: “This LRS type approval of our BeHydro 100% hydrogen engines with zero emissions is a confirmation of the future proof technology that BeHydro can offer to innovative shipowners worldwide. The 100% hydrogen engine range is available from 900kW till 2670kW for different marine applications.”
LR previously awarded type approval to BeHydro for its hydrogen-powered dual-fuel engine in 2023, which was the first such approval for a dual-fuel hydrogen engine. LR has published a report in its Fuel for thought series, providing a comprehensive assessment of hydrogen’s potential role in maritime decarbonisation. Fuel for thought: Hydrogen examines hydrogen from production and supply through to onboard use, highlighting the fuel’s advantages alongside the safety, infrastructure and cost challenges that currently restrict its adoption.
Image: (l-r) Michail Cheliotis, LR; Peter Van de Graaf, LR; Tim Berckmoes, Anglo Belgian Corporation; Louis Vercauter, CMB.Tech; Edward Belderbos, ABC; Arthur Ghekiere, ABC (source: Lloyd’s Register).
