TSUNEISHI Shipbuilding Delivers Japan’s First Hydrogen Dual-Fuel Tugboat “TEN-OH”

Fukuyama, Hiroshima | October 21, 2025 — TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. has delivered TEN-OH, Japan’s first tugboat powered by a hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine (ICE). The vessel was handed over on October 15, 2025, at the company’s TSUNEISHI Factory in Hiroshima Prefecture.

The TEN-OH tugboat is equipped with a BEH2YDRO high-output hydrogen dual-fuel engine and a high-pressure hydrogen gas storage and supply system. Both systems were supplied by JPNH2YDRO, a joint venture between the TSUNEISHI Group and Belgium-based CMB.TECH.

Hydrogen fuel, which emits no carbon dioxide when combusted, is viewed as a key energy source in achieving carbon neutrality in maritime transport. The TEN-OH was developed and built under The Nippon Foundation’s Zero Emission Ships Project, an initiative aimed at developing vessels with zero CO₂ emissions.

Tugboats are essential for assisting large vessels during port operations, requiring both high manoeuvrability and strong engine output. The TEN-OH is powered by twin 12-cylinder hydrogen-blended engines, each in the 4,400-horsepower class, and carries approximately 250 kilograms of hydrogen in high-pressure tanks. The vessel delivers performance comparable to conventional fuel-powered tugboats while enabling significant CO₂ reductions.

In the event of a hydrogen system malfunction, the tugboat can seamlessly switch to conventional marine fuel, ensuring operational reliability and safety equivalent to standard vessels.

TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING stated that the company will continue advancing research and construction of next-generation fuel-powered vessels as part of its efforts to support maritime decarbonisation.

“It is a great honour to deliver Japan’s first hydrogen dual-fuelled tugboat. Across our domestic and overseas operations, we are developing vessels powered by next-generation fuels such as methanol and LNG. By building on the expertise gained through this project and leveraging the collective strength of the Group, we will continue to drive innovation and contribute to a more sustainable future for the maritime industry,”
said Mr. OKUMURA Sachio, Representative Director, President & Executive Officer of TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. The delivery of TEN-OH marks a key milestone in Japan’s transition toward clean maritime fuels, aligning with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping sector.