Lloyd’s Register has issued the industry’s first Type Approval Certificate for BeHydro’s 100% hydrogen-fuelled, spark-ignited marine engine, validating its safety and performance across a 900 kW to 2,670 kW power range. By operating entirely on hydrogen without the need for pilot diesel, this landmark medium-speed engine simplifies vessel design and completely eliminates onboard carbon emissions at the source.
London | June 17, 2026 – In a major milestone for maritime decarbonization, classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) has issued the industry’s first Type Approval Certificate for a 100% hydrogen-fuelled, spark-ignited marine internal combustion engine (ICE).
The historic certification has been awarded to BeHydro, a strategic joint venture between Anglo Belgian Corporation (ABC) and CMB.TECH. This independent approval certifies that the pure-hydrogen design complies with stringent maritime safety, structural reliability, and operational performance standards. It signals a critical shift from experimental alternative-fuel testing to commercial readiness for deep-sea and coastal shipping operators.
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Technical Specifications & System Architecture
Developed and rigorously tested at ABC Engines’ manufacturing hub in Ghent, Belgium, the engine family is available across a power spectrum ranging from 900 kW to 2,670 kW, making it immediately viable for tugs, ferries, inland waterways vessels, and auxiliary power generation on larger merchant ships.
Unlike conventional dual-fuel engines that rely on a small injection of marine gas oil (MGO) or pilot diesel to ignite the fuel mix, the BeHydro engine is 100% spark-ignited.
This absolute reliance on hydrogen yields two profound engineering advantages:
- System Simplification: Eliminating secondary pilot-fuel storage tanks, supply lines, injection mechanisms, and treatment systems drastically lowers capital expenditure (CAPEX) and onboard spatial requirements.
- True Zero-Carbon Output: Because no hydrocarbon-based pilot fuels are combusted, the engine completely removes carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur oxides (SOx), and particulate matter at the source.
“This LRS type approval of our BeHydro 100% hydrogen engines with zero emissions is a confirmation of the future-proof technology that BeHydro can offer to innovative shipowners worldwide,” stated Tim Berckmoes, CEO of ABC Engines.
Building on the Dual-Fuel Foundations of 2023
This development is an evolutionary leap from BeHydro’s previous regulatory milestones. In 2023, LR granted Type Approval to BeHydro for its hydrogen-powered dual-fuel engine, which was the first of its kind globally. While that system served as a crucial transitional bridge, allowing operators to burn hydrogen while retaining the security of liquid fuels, the 2026 certification represents the realization of fully uncompromised, zero-carbon propulsion.
“The issue of this Type Approval Certificate demonstrates that hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine technology is continuing to mature as a viable option for maritime applications,” said Claudene Sharp-Patel, Global Technical Director at Lloyd’s Register. “For shipowners and operators, independent certification is essential in building confidence that emerging fuel technologies can meet the industry’s expectations.”
Infrastructure and Supply Chain Realities: The Bunkering Bottleneck
To coincide with the certification, Lloyd’s Register released its latest Fuel for Thought: Hydrogen report, offering a pragmatic evaluation of hydrogen’s trajectory in the maritime fuel mix.
While the BeHydro engine solves the onboard combustion equation, the report stresses that widespread commercial adoption remains constrained by severe macroeconomic and logistical hurdles.
| Parameter | Current Status & Challenges |
| Volumetric Energy Density | Requires approximately 4 to 5 times the storage volume of conventional fuel oil (MDO) to achieve equivalent vessel range. |
| Bunkering State | Liquid hydrogen must be kept cryogenic at -253°C, requiring highly insulated, heavy-walled Type C storage tanks. |
| Supply Chain Infrastructure | Massive localized capital investment is required in port-side bunkering terminals to supply green hydrogen at scale. |
| Upstream Carbon Footprint | Commercial viability relies on scaling renewable electrolysis (Green Hydrogen) rather than steam methane reforming (Grey Hydrogen). |
Commercial Implications for Heavy-Duty Maritime
The corporate structure of BeHydro combines the 114-year mechanical engineering lineage of ABC Engines with the forward-thinking asset management of global shipowner CMB.TECH. This alignment ensures the engine’s design prioritizes the extreme durability and heavy-duty reliability required by commercial operators.
For the marine fuel and bunkering markets, the commercialization of a 100% hydrogen engine creates a tangible, technology-ready destination for future fleet strategies. As regulatory frameworks like the FuelEU Maritime and IMO carbon levies penalize conventional fossil fuels, shipowners targeting absolute zero-emissions now possess a certified, medium-speed propulsion option. This development shifts the industry focus away from engine capability and squarely onto the global energy sector’s ability to produce, transport, and bunker green hydrogen at scale.
About BeHydro: A Belgian Powerhouse for Green Innovation
BeHydro is a strategic joint venture between two Belgian maritime and industrial leaders: Anglo Belgian Corporation (ABC) and CMB.TECH. By merging the technical heritage of a world-class engine manufacturer with the forward-thinking vision of a global shipowner, BeHydro is spearheading the energy transition for the world’s most demanding heavy-duty industries.
Anglo Belgian Corporation (ABC) – Engineering Excellence Since 1912
Based in Ghent, ABC has over a century of expertise in designing and manufacturing medium-speed engines. Known for their durability and “heavy-duty” reliability, ABC engines power everything from freight transport to international power plants.
- Expertise: Power ranges from 600 kW to 10.5 MW.
- Focus: Durability, simplicity of design, and the development of low-carbon/hybrid systems.
- Reach: 90% of ABC’s products are exported globally, supporting critical infrastructure in the harshest environments.
CMB.TECH – Pioneers of the Carbon Transition
CMB.TECH is the cleantech division of the CMB Group, a diversified maritime giant with a fleet of over 150 ocean-going vessels. CMB.TECH is dedicated to the “decarbonization of today,” focusing on the large-scale deployment of hydrogen and ammonia-powered applications.
- Infrastructure: Beyond ship design, CMB.TECH is actively building the green fuel supply chain, including major ammonia offtake agreements and bunkering infrastructure planned for 2026.
- Philosophy: As CEO Alexander Saverys notes, hydrogen is the “key to sustainable shipping” and the broader global energy transition.
Why BeHydro?
The collaboration between ABC and CMB.TECH allows BeHydro to bridge the gap between technological possibility and commercial reality. Their hydrogen engines are designed to be:
- Resource-Efficient: No reliance on scarce raw materials like lithium, cobalt, or platinum.
- Adaptable: Suitable for marine propulsion, railway traction, and land-based power generation.
- Future-Proof: Offering a bridge from 85% carbon reduction (Dual Fuel) to 100% zero-emissions (Mono Fuel).
About Lloyd’s Register (LR)
With a legacy spanning over 260 years as the world’s first marine classification society, Lloyd’s Register is a premier global professional services group specializing in marine engineering, technology, and compliance solutions. Owned entirely by the politically and financially independent Lloyd’s Register Foundation, LR supports fleet performance across 30,000 vessels globally through its advisory arms and advanced digital platforms like OneOcean.
Source: BeHydro | Lloyd’s Register