Kawasaki taps Nikkiso for high-pressure pump unit for hydrogen-fuelled ship

Kawasaki Heavy Industries has ordered a hydrogen pump unit from Nikkiso which will be integrated into a hydrogen-fueled ship using a low-speed, two-stroke hydrogen dual-fuel engine.

The technology will complement Kawasaki’s 2.4MW dual-fuel generator engine, which it secured a ClassNK approval in principle (AiP) for in 2022.

Nikkiso’s multi-stage, high-pressure system takes liquefied hydrogen from onboard cryogenic tanks and pressurises it to the levels needed for engine combustion. It’s then fed into an evaporator, which turns it into gaseous hydrogen for engine use.

The system combines technology from hydrogen refuelling stations and LNG ship fuel supply systems, such as cryogenic handling and marine integration.

The design and manufacturing are being carried out by the Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group (CE&IG Group) in California, the US, which is part of Nikkiso’s Industrial division.

The Japan-led demonstration project is being backed by the NEDO Green Innovation Fund, which aims to decarbonise maritime transport.

Delivery of Nikkiso’s system is set for 2026, and the ship should begin trials are expected to begin in 2028.