Japan to get factory for marine hydrogen engines in 2029

February 17, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

Yanmar Power Solutions, a subsidiary of Japan’s industrial diesel engine and machinery manufacturer Yanmar Holdings, is planning to build a new factory for test runs of marine hydrogen engines.

Conceptual rendering of the completed factory (including future expansion plans). Source: Yanmar

The company has acquired land at the Phoenix industrial site in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, where it plans to construct the new factory for activities such as the test operation of marine hydrogen engines.

According to Yanmar, the move comes as a response to the anticipation of increased production of marine and land-use engines in the future.

The provisional name of the factory is Amagasaki Coastal Factory, with a planned total floor area of approximately 8,000 m2 at a 33,898.27 m2 site.

Operations are expected to start around March 2029.

“Through this initiative, the company aims to reorganize and strengthen its production system, including existing factories,” Yanmar said.

“Leveraging its expertise in engine development and manufacturing, Yanmar Power Solutions will continue to promote the development of powertrains compatible with next-generation fuels such as hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia, as well as establish corresponding production systems.”

Yanmar Power Solutions recently became the first engine manufacturer in Japan to obtain both the type approval certificate and NOx certificate from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for its pilot-ignition hydrogen-fueled four-stroke high-speed engine for power generation for domestic coastal vessels.