Ebara Corporation (hereinafter "Ebara") obtained Type Approval from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (hereinafter "ClassNK") on June 16, 2026 for its liquid hydrogen(LH₂) cargo pump (hereinafter "the Product"). This represents the world's first Type Approval for an LH₂ cargo pump.
Type Approval presentation ceremony
Left: Mr. Masaki Matsunaga, Executive Director, ClassNK
Right: Mr. Teruaki Tsukamoto, General Manager, Hydrogen Energy Business Division, Energy Company, Ebara Corporation
1.Background and objectives
Hydrogen is expected to be a next-generation energy source that contributes to the realization of a decarbonized society. To promote its widespread adoption, it is essential to build an entire supply chain covering production, transportation, and utilization. Among these, LH₂ – which is cooled to –253°C and liquefied – significantly reduces its volume, making it suitable for mass transportation and storage. At the same time, handling this cryogenic temperature of –253°C safely and reliably requires advanced technological capabilities.
Against this backdrop, projects to construct LH₂ carriers for commercial demonstration are progressing, with the goal of establishing a full-scale hydrogen supply chain. As a result, demand is rapidly increasing for highly reliable components and materials capable of operating under cryogenic conditions.
Therefore, Ebara aims to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by actively leveraging the technologies and business resources of the Group across all stages of the hydrogen supply chain—production, storage/transportation, and utilization. Ebara has applied its cryogenic pump technology, cultivated over many years, to the field of LH₂ and continues to advance pump development.
2.Overview
This product that obtained Type Approval is a marine pump used on LH₂ carriers for cargo handling operations (e.g., discharging to onshore tanks and other facilities). It is designed to safely and stably pressurize and transfer LH₂ at its cryogenic boiling point of –253°C.
Equipment installed on vessels must withstand harsh marine operating environments. In addition, since maintenance and replacement are difficult once the vessel enters service, exceptionally high reliability and durability are required. For this reason, classification societies such as ClassNK review the design and structure with consideration of the marine environment, as well as the compatibility of the materials used with LH₂.
In addition, to ensure the quality of LH₂ cargo pumps, performance verification using actual fluid prior to installation is indispensable. In obtaining this Type Approval, a full-scale performance test using LH₂ at –253°C (actual fluid) was conducted at our Product Testing and Development Center "E-HYETEC" in Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture, which has partially commenced operations and is scheduled for full completion in 2026.
As a result of these achievements, the Product became the world's first LH₂ cargo pump to obtain Type Approval. Furthermore, this enables Ebara to supply quality-assured products as planned, thereby contributing to the smooth progress of LH₂ carrier construction projects and the development of a hydrogen supply chain.
| Approval Authority | Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) |
| Approval Date | June 16, 2026 |
| Approved Product | LH₂ pump (Model: LHS0404) |
| Application | For cargo handling operations on LH₂ carriers |
| Main Specifications | Design pressure: 0.37 MPa (head: 350 m) /Maximum rated flow rate: 350 m³/H |
| Test Facility | Product Testing and Development Center (E-HYETEC) * Full-scale test with actual LH₂ conducted |
3.Future outlook
As the commercialization of LH₂ accelerates, demand is expected to grow further for high-reliability equipment capable of operating in cryogenic environments throughout the entire hydrogen supply chain, including maritime transport.
Ebara will leverage the knowledge and expertise gained through this Type Approval to contribute to the decarbonization of the maritime sector by supplying equipment for hydrogen-powered vessels.
－About the EBARA Group－
Guided by its long-term vision and medium-term management plan, Ebara Group will address social challenges through business activities, and strive to realize a sustainable society and further enhance corporate value.
※1 Type Approval: A system in which, for marine equipment that must obtain prior approval from a classification society before installation on a vessel as stipulated by rules and regulations, representative samples are reviewed, tested, and inspected in advance of actual installation to certify to the manufacturer that the product conforms to the applicable requirements. For LH₂ pumps, Type Approval is now required for those installed on vessels for which construction contracts are signed on or after January 1, 2025, following amendments to Part GF and Part N of the Rules for Steel Ships on December 26, 2024.
※2 As of June 17, 2026, based on our survey of publicly available information from IACS member classification societies.
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