A New Chapter for Ports
The delivery of the 38 metre tugboat Ten Oh marks an important step for maritime decarbonisation. Built by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding within the Nippon Foundation Zero Emission Ships Project, the vessel uses twin twelve cylinder engines that burn a blend of hydrogen and conventional marine diesel. Approximately two hundred fifty kilograms of compressed hydrogen is stored on board. Early trials indicate carbon dioxide emissions can drop by sixty percent without sacrificing manoeuvrability or towing power.
Technology Under the Deck
The heart of the design is a BEH2YDRO combustion system created through a partnership between Japanese and Belgian engineers. Burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine avoids the need for large battery arrays or expensive fuel cells, keeping hull layouts and maintenance routines close to existing practice. That familiarity shortens crew training time and simplifies regulatory approval, allowing operators to focus on refuelling logistics.
Non-Obvious Engineering Insight
Because the engines can run on any blend of hydrogen and diesel, harbour authorities gain an unexpected planning advantage. They can start with modest hydrogen ratios that fit current supply infrastructure and progressively increase the share as more fuelling capacity is installed. This ramp up strategy spreads capital cost over several budget cycles and converts technology adoption into a manageable operations project rather than a single large investment.
Wider Implications
Several Japanese ports already store compressed hydrogen for industrial users. Leveraging that supply for tugboats could create anchor demand that accelerates wider maritime conversion and stimulates local production. International shipyards are closely watching performance data, suggesting the design may influence future tug standards far beyond Japan.
Conclusion
Ten Oh shows that combining proven shipbuilding techniques with flexible dual fuel engines can deliver meaningful emission cuts today. The project demonstrates a pragmatic bridge toward fully renewable propulsion while keeping fleets reliable and crews confident.