EBARA secures world’s first certification for liquid hydrogen cargo pumps
EBARA Group has achieved the world’s first Type Approval certification for liquid hydrogen cargo pumps designed for liquefied hydrogen carriers, marking a significant milestone for the development of the global hydrogen shipping industry.
The certification, awarded to EBARA Corporation and its subsidiary Ebara Elliott Energy (EEE), validates the design, structural integrity and performance of the pumps before installation, providing shipbuilders and operators with a pre-certified solution for transporting liquid hydrogen.
The approval represents a major shift from the traditional Individual Approval process, under which every pump installed on a vessel must be inspected and certified separately by a marine surveyor during ship construction.
By obtaining Type Approval, EBARA said manufacturers and shipowners can reduce technical risk, streamline production and improve confidence in equipment performance before vessels enter service.
To achieve the certification, engineers carried out extensive durability and performance testing using liquid hydrogen at temperatures as low as -253°C, replicating the extreme cryogenic conditions encountered during commercial hydrogen transport.
The company said the programme was made possible through the use of a large-scale liquid hydrogen testing facility at its Futtsu Plant in Japan, overcoming a long-standing industry challenge caused by the lack of dedicated testing infrastructure for hydrogen shipping equipment.
Shane Reph, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Ebara Elliott Energy, said the certification removes a key technical barrier to the development of international hydrogen transport networks.
He said validating the pumps under real operating conditions before installation gives shipbuilders greater confidence from the design stage while reducing the risk of costly modifications and commissioning delays once vessels are constructed.
Liquid hydrogen is widely regarded as one of the most promising options for transporting clean hydrogen over long distances, but the technology requires specialised cryogenic equipment capable of operating safely at extremely low temperatures.
EBARA believes the certification will accelerate the deployment of hydrogen shipping infrastructure in markets investing heavily in hydrogen supply chains, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Middle East and the European Union.
The company also plans to expand its certified product portfolio by developing liquid hydrogen cargo pumps covering a wider range of flow rates and operating requirements, strengthening its position in the emerging global hydrogen maritime market.
As countries increase investment in hydrogen production and international trade to support decarbonisation goals, advances in certified transport technology are expected to play a crucial role in enabling reliable and scalable global hydrogen supply chains.
