Japanese trio to install hydrogen fuel cell system on cruise ship

Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), engineering firm Yanmar Power, and oil refining company ENEOS have partnered to equip a cruise ship with a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.

IMAGE: Conceptual image of the hydrogen fuel cell system. NYK

Yanmar Power will develop the hydrogen fuel cell system and integrate it into the vessel, while hydrogen storage modules supplied by Toyota Motor will form part of the fuel supply arrangement.

ENEOS will oversee hydrogen production at refuelling stations, mainly in Tokyo, and supply hydrogen to the storage modules.

Ahead of the vessel's deployment, NYK carried out extensive safety assessments in line with the hydrogen fuel cell ship guidelines established by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The evaluations confirmed the safety and reliability of the proposed system.

The cruise ship is slated to begin operations in 2027 and will replace Lady Crystal, which is currently operated by the NYK Group in Tokyo's Tennoz Isle area.

However, the companies have not disclosed additional details about the project, including the shipbuilder responsible for constructing the vessel.

By Tuhin Roy

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