Tsuneishi Shipbuilding has launched Ten-Oh, Japan’s first tugboat powered by a hydrogen internal combustion engine. This 38-meter vessel features a BeHydro high-output hydrogen dual-fuel engine, along with a high-pressure hydrogen gas storage system designed by JPNH2YDRO, a collaboration between Tsuneishi Group and CMB.TECH.
The tugboat was developed as part of The Nippon Foundation’s Zero Emission Ships Project, which focuses on creating vessels with zero carbon dioxide emissions. Ten-Oh is equipped with twin 12-cylinder hydrogen-blended engines, providing approximately 4,400 horsepower, and can store around 250 kg of hydrogen in high-pressure tanks. This setup allows it to perform comparably to traditional fuel-powered vessels while significantly reducing CO2 emissions.
In case of a hydrogen fuel system failure, Ten-Oh can operate using marine fuel, ensuring safety standards remain on par with conventional ships. This innovative tugboat represents a significant step toward sustainable maritime operations in Japan.
