Lloyd’s Register approval marks a key step towards commercial deployment of hydrogen-powered propulsion systems for zero-emission vessels
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded the first Type Approval Certificate for a 100% hydrogen-fuelled, spark-ignited marine engine, marking a significant milestone in the development of zero-emission propulsion technology for the maritime sector.
The approval covers a hydrogen engine developed by BeHydro and confirms that the design meets LR’s requirements for safety, performance and reliability in marine applications.
Developed and tested at the Ghent facility of Anglo Belgian Corporation, the engine is designed to run entirely on hydrogen without the use of pilot fuels. The configuration simplifies system architecture while eliminating carbon emissions at source, offering vessel operators a practical pathway towards zero-carbon propulsion.
Claudene Sharp-Patel, Global Technical Director, Lloyd’s Register said: “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 Anglo Belgian Corporation, said: “This Lloyd’s Register 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 100% hydrogen engine range is available from 900 kW till 2670 kW for different marine applications.”
LR previously awarded Type Approval to BeHydro for its hydrogen-powered dual-fuel engine in 2023, which was the first Type Approval for a dual-fuel hydrogen engine.
