Yanmar’s maritime hydrogen fuel cell system gets ClassNK’s blessing

Classification society ClassNK has awarded approval in principle (AiP) to Japanese company Yanmar Power Technology (YPT) for a maritime hydrogen fuel cell system, marking the first AiP certification for such a system developed by a Japanese manufacturer.

The 300 kW maritime hydrogen fuel cell system developed by Yanmar is designed with key auxiliary components such as gas valve units integrated within the system enclosure, aimed to facilitate easy installation on ships.

The system also allows for parallel connection of multiple units and adjustments to the number of hydrogen fuel cell modules, making it adaptable to various ship power output requirements.

ClassNK said it carried out a review of the system in line with its guidelines and examined the result of required tests and risk assessment. Upon confirming it complies with the prescribed requirements, the classification society issued the AiP.

To remind, Yanmar introduced its maritime hydrogen fuel cell system in August 2023. In November 2023, the manufacturer made the first delivery of its newly commercialized maritime hydrogen fuel cell system to the passenger ship HANARIA, operated by MOTENA-Sea, a company backed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and other investors.

Just recently, the Japanese company started the development of a hydrogen-fueled 4-stroke high-speed engine for power generation for coastal vessels in Japan as part of the Nippon Foundation’s zero-emission ship demonstration experiment.