Lloyd’s Register (LR) has issued what it says is the first type approval certificate for a 100% hydrogen-fuelled, spark-ignited marine engine, awarding the certification to a hydrogen engine developed by BeHydro.

The approval confirms that the engine 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 — a design approach that, LR notes, simplifies system design and removes onboard carbon emissions at source.

ABC Engines states that the engine range is available from 900 kW to 2,670 kW, covering a variety of marine applications.

Claudene Sharp-Patel, Global Technical Director at Lloyd’s Register, commented: “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 at ABC Engines, remarked: “This LR 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 latest certification follows an earlier approval granted by LR to BeHydro in 2023 for a hydrogen-powered dual-fuel engine — the first type approval issued for a dual-fuel hydrogen engine.

Earlier this year, LR published a report as part of its Fuel for Thought series examining hydrogen’s potential role in maritime decarbonisation. The report covers hydrogen production and supply through to onboard use, and addresses the safety, infrastructure and cost challenges that currently limit its wider adoption in shipping.