Anglo Belgian Corp (ABC) and CMB.Tech have secured type-approval from Lloyd’s Register (LR) for their BeHydro hydrogen-powered dual-fuel engines
The BeHydro series of hydrogen-powered dual-fuel engines were jointly developed by CMB.Tech and ABC. The new engine series has a capacity of up to 2.7 MW and uses hydrogen when available or conventional fuels, offering flexibility for vessel propulsion. ABC said shipowners can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 85% using this dual-fuel technology.
“This LR type-approval confirms the reliability and safety of the BeHydro/ABC engines,” said ABC Engines chief executive Tim Berckmoes. “The dual-fuel hydrogen engines are ready for all marine applications worldwide.”
One of the first applications for these BeHydro engines is on the world’s first hydrogen-fuelled tugboat, Hydrotug 1, which is starting operations in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges this quarter after completing sea and fuel trials in Ostend, Belgium in October.
BeHydro was presented to the shipping industry during the Europort 2023 exhibition in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Mr Berckmoes said LR’s approval paves the way for BeHydro to develop larger capacity hydrogen engines.
LR went through a comprehensive type-approval process to ensure safety and material suitability after awarding approval in principle for BeHydro in September 2020.
“This collaboration with BeHydro builds upon our important work as part of the previous approval in principle for their dual-fuel hydrogen engine,” said LR global technical director Claudene Sharp-Patel.
“The type-approval, a first-of-its-kind for hydrogen engines, demonstrates the potential of hydrogen as a fuel for shipping and underlines LR’s commitment to accelerating the adoption of safe and reliable future fuel technologies.”
CMB.Tech chief technology officer Roy Campe said LR approval confirms the positive test results for the BeHydro technology.
“Achieving a type approval on a first-of-its kind is not an easy process,” he said. “The robust and cost-effective BeHydro technology is now ready to accelerate the reduction of CO2 emissions throughout the maritime industry.”
Also at Europort 2023, ABC unveiled its third Evolve-series engine for large workboats, tugs and inland waterways vessels. Its Evolve 6EL23 engine is a multi-fuel, six-cylinder medium-speed engine for newbuild projects. It can run efficiently on diesel with an exhaust aftertreatment system for compliance with IMO Tier III and European Union Stage V emissions standards.
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