- LomarLabs and Newlight are partnering to develop hydrogen-diesel retrofit solutions for ships, aiming to reduce fuel consumption by 20–30%.
- A pilot installation is planned for summer 2025 on a Lomar vessel, with harbor and sea trials to evaluate real-world performance.
- The low CapEx retrofit offers an immediate and scalable way to reduce emissions, supporting the IMO’s decarbonization targets without a full propulsion system overhaul.
LomarLabs has announced a strategic partnership with Newlight, a technology company specializing in hybrid hydrogen-diesel engine retrofits, to accelerate the adoption of lower-emission and cost-effective solutions in shipping. This initiative focuses on retrofitting conventional diesel engines to operate on a hydrogen-diesel blend, reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Initial trials have demonstrated potential fuel savings of up to 30%, with an average reduction of 20%. This collaboration will seek to validate these results through onboard testing.
Supporting IMO Decarbonisation Goals with a Low CapEx Solution
As the shipping industry works toward net-zero emissions, shipowners are looking for solutions to extend the service life of their vessels while making them more environmentally friendly. Newlight’s dual-fuel retrofit technology provides a cost-effective and immediate way to integrate hydrogen as a cleaner fuel source, improving energy efficiency without requiring a full propulsion system overhaul.
Stylianos Papageorgiou, Managing Director of LomarLabs, emphasized:
“Decarbonisation isn’t about waiting for the perfect fuel; it’s about acting now with every viable tool at our disposal. Newlight’s dual-fuel retrofit technology offers a practical, scalable, and cost-effective way to reduce emissions while maintaining operational efficiency.”
Pilot Installation and Future Deployment
The partnership’s first major milestone is a pilot installation on a Lomar vessel scheduled for summer 2025. This phase will involve data collection, harbor, and sea trials to assess the performance and scalability of the hydrogen-diesel retrofit system.
Haran Cohen Hillel, CEO of Newlight, highlighted the importance of acting immediately:
“The shipping industry cannot afford to wait for a complete hydrogen transition. By retrofitting existing diesel engines to operate on a hydrogen blend, we provide an immediate solution that delivers real impact today.”
Bridging the Gap Between Current Operations and Net-Zero Shipping
Lomar Shipping’s CEO, Nicholas Georgiou, reinforced the significance of this initiative:
“As the global shipping industry accelerates its transition toward net-zero emissions, this collaboration between LomarLabs and Newlight marks a critical step in deploying practical, near-term solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce emissions, and lower operating costs.”
By integrating hydrogen-diesel retrofits, this partnership aims to decarbonize fleets ship by ship, providing a scalable pathway to cleaner, more sustainable maritime operations.
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Source: Lomar Labs
