TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd has launched Japan’s first tugboat to be equipped with a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine (ICE).
This vessel was launched on 28 March 2025 at TSUNEISHI Factory, Japan. The vessel is equipped with a high-power output hydrogen dual-fuelled ICE and a high-pressure hydrogen gas storage system. It also used JGreeX which are produced by JFE Steel Corp. as green steel for all of its steel plates. By utilising green steel and hydrogen fuel to reduce the environmental impact, TSUNEISHI will provide cleaner vessels and contribute towards decarbonisation.
Hydrogen fuel is a clean fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide when burned and is expected to contribute to the realisation of carbon neutrality. This vessel was developed and built as part of the Nippon Foundation’s Zero Emission Ships Project, which aims to develop vessels with zero CO2 emissions.
Large vessels have difficulty controlling their steering when they are operating at low speeds, making it difficult to manoeuvre them smoothly. For this reason, tugboats are used to assist with the steering and propulsion of large vessels when they are leaving or arriving at ports safely and quickly. Therefore, tugboats need to be highly manoeuvrable and have high engine output. This tugboat is installed with twin 12-cylinder hydrogen-blended engines (4400 hp class) and by utilising hydrogen in combination with traditional marine fuels, the vessel aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 60%, compared to conventional tugboats that use traditional marine fuels. Furthermore, by having the facilities to store approximately 250 kg of high-pressure hydrogen gas, it is possible to maintain the same operational performance as when using conventional fuel while using hydrogen fuel. In the event of failure of the hydrogen fuel system, the vessel can operate with only traditional marine fuels, ensuring the same level of safety as conventional vessels.
In addition, JGreeX, which are used for all of the vessel’s hull, is a green steel material that has significantly reduced CO2 emissions by crediting the steel material with the amount of CO2 emissions reduced in the steel production process. With the use of JGreeX, it contributes to a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions caused by steel plates.
Nishijima Takanori, General Manager of the Design Division and Managing Executive Officer of TSUNEISHI commented: “We have launched our first hydrogen-fuelled tugboat. We will utilise the know-how and design processes we have developed in the construction of hydrogen-fuelled tugboats, which require high power, in the construction of further new fuel vessels. Our company is working to achieve carbon neutrality by developing and constructing new fuel vessels such as methanol-fuelled, LNG-fuelled, and hydrogen-fuelled vessels, making use of group synergies. TSUNEISHI will continue to contribute to the decarbonisation of the maritime industry through a multifaceted approach to the development and construction of new fuel vessels, and the utilisation of green steel materials.”