Japanese shipbuilder Tsuneishi Facilities & Craft is to build the world’s first hydrogen-powered ferry in a joint development with Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB).

Hydrogen is seen a potential future fuel for shipping to meet 2050 targets from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for cutting CO2 emissions from shipping. The plan to construct a hydrogen powered ferry builds on CMB’s experience with the launch of test passenger vessel Hydroville in Antwerp last year.

Tsuneishi is to build a 19 gt, 80-passenger capacity ferry HydroBingo, which will have a dual fuel hydrogen and diesel engine.

“The companies will strive to propose technologies and operation methods to maximize the percentage of hydrogen by using the hydrogen-diesel dual fuel. It is planned that the ferry will be completed and operated in 2021 in Japan,” Tsuneishi said.

The shipbuilder said it aims to build zero-emission ships with hydrogen as a fuel to provide a new energy option for shipping.