“Development of Automation Technology for Liquefied Hydrogen Bunkering” Selected as NEDO Green Innovation Fund Project —leading social implementation of hydrogen-fueled ships—

Tokyo, February 20, 2026 — Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced that the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has selected its proposed new R&D topic “Development of Automation Technology for Liquefied Hydrogen Bunkering” for the “Development of Hydrogen-fueled Ships” project, part of the NEDO sponsored Green Innovation Fund Project*¹: Next-generation Ship Development.

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions during international and domestic shipping operations is a pressing issue, raising expectations for the introduction of next-generation ships that use zero emission fuels. Among such fuels, hydrogen is a prime candidate since it emits no CO2 when burned. Liquefied hydrogen in particular has a high energy density, can be stored on-board at relatively low pressure, and has a high bunkering efficiency, raising expectations for its early introduction for large-size, high-output, and long-voyage ships. The social implementation of large-size hydrogen-fueled ships will require the installation of three components—a hydrogen-fueled engine, a fuel supply system comprising a liquefied hydrogen tank, and a bunkering facility to supply liquefied hydrogen from outside the ship.

The present demonstration project will involve the construction of a shore-based facility for liquefied hydrogen bunkering and the development of systems to optimize and automate a series of bunkering operations. In particular, the project aims to minimize the generation of boil-off gas (BOG) while filling tanks with cryogenic liquefied hydrogen at -253℃ and establish an automated technology that enables bunkering to be completed smoothly in a safe and efficient manner. Kawasaki will apply the automated bunkering technology developed in this project to a hydrogen-fueled ship developed in a parallel sister project on marine hydrogen engines and MHFS*², also led by the Company, and conduct a real-ship demonstration.

Kawasaki is working with shipping companies, shipyards, marine engine manufacturers, classification societies, and other stakeholders in the maritime industry, as well as suppliers of liquefied hydrogen, to promote the social implementation of next-generation hydrogen-fueled ships and liquefied hydrogen bunkering technology as inseparable ones. Linking these activities with a separate project on “Liquefied Hydrogen Supply Chain Commercialization Demonstration” focused on establishing a hydrogen-oriented society, Kawasaki is helping to realize a carbon-neutral world by 2050.

Related links

Outline of NEDO selected project

https://www.nedo.go.jp/news/press/AA5_101913.html (Japanese)

Outline of selected project for marine hydrogen engines and MHFS:

https://www.nedo.go.jp/news/press/AA5_101487.html (Japanese)

”Development of Marine Hydrogen Engines and MHFS” selected as NEDO Green Innovation Fund Project　—progressing towards the realization of zero emission ships— (October 26, 2021):

https://www.khi.co.jp/pressrelease/news_211026-2_2.pdf (Japanese)