The Kiko Maru tanker, as the world's first hydrogen marine engine tanker, successfully completed a test voyage on September 25 in Osaka Bay. This tanker, introduced by the Nippon Foundation, traveled approximately 33 kilometers for nearly two hours using its hydrogen power system.
Details of the Tanker and Its Technology
The Kiko Maru tanker, weighing 4,500 tons and measuring 104.93 meters in length, has a loading capacity of about 5,000 kiloliters. This tanker was built and operated by Uyeno Transtech and was delivered in 2025 at the Fukuoka shipyard. After delivery, the tanker was updated for the hydrogen test program.
The high-speed four-stroke hydrogen engine and its related equipment were developed by Yanmar Power Solutions. Uyeno has also been responsible for updating the tanker and training specialized crew members.
Test Results and Future Prospects
In this test in Osaka Bay, the hydrogen system successfully reduced carbon dioxide emissions by about 1.2 tons compared to conventional fossil fuel operations. This ship is powered by electricity generated by the hydrogen engine, and lithium-ion batteries also help optimize fuel consumption.
This test is part of the Nippon Foundation's zero-emission ships project, which aims to achieve carbon-neutral maritime transport in Japan by 2050. However, hydrogen still faces significant challenges at sea, particularly regarding fuel costs, storage infrastructure, and supply.
