Japan to Get Factory for Marine Hydrogen Engines in 2029

Why It Matters

The factory underscores Japan’s push toward zero‑emission shipping and positions Yanmar as a front‑runner in hydrogen marine propulsion, potentially accelerating industry‑wide decarbonisation.

Key Takeaways

• Yanmar to open 8,000 m² hydrogen engine test factory 2029.
• Facility located on 33,898 m² Phoenix site in Amagasaki, Hyogo.
• Supports development of hydrogen, methanol, ammonia marine powertrains.
• First Japanese engine maker with ClassNK hydrogen engine approvals.
• Aims to strengthen Yanmar’s production system and market share.

Pulse Analysis

Japan’s maritime sector faces mounting pressure to meet stringent emissions targets, and hydrogen is emerging as a viable zero‑carbon alternative to diesel. While global shipbuilders experiment with fuel cells and ammonia, Yanmar’s decision to invest in a dedicated test facility signals confidence in hydrogen’s scalability for coastal vessels. The move aligns with the Japanese government’s Green Growth Strategy, which earmarks subsidies and regulatory support for hydrogen infrastructure, creating a fertile environment for domestic innovators.

The Amagasaki Coastal Factory will occupy roughly 8,000 m² of floor space within a 33,898 m² industrial park, providing a controlled environment for prototype testing, durability trials, and certification processes. Leveraging its recent ClassNK type‑approval and NOx certification, Yanmar can accelerate the transition from pilot engines to commercial‑grade units. The site’s proximity to the Seto Inland Sea offers immediate access to real‑world maritime conditions, enabling rapid iteration and data collection that can be fed back into Yanmar’s broader engine portfolio, including methanol and ammonia variants.

Beyond Yanmar, the facility could reshape the regional supply chain for clean‑fuel marine technology. By establishing a domestic hub for hydrogen engine validation, Japan reduces reliance on foreign testing services and strengthens its export proposition for green propulsion systems. Competitors in Europe and North America are also scaling up similar capabilities, so Yanmar’s early entry may secure strategic partnerships and market share in the burgeoning global market for low‑carbon shipping solutions.

Japan to get factory for marine hydrogen engines in 2029

February 17 2026 · Nadja Skopljak

Yanmar Power Solutions, a subsidiary of Japan’s industrial diesel‑engine and machinery manufacturer Yanmar Holdings, is planning to build a new factory for test runs of marine hydrogen engines.

Image: An aerial view of the Yanmar EVO Center, situated next to the ocean.

Conceptual rendering of the completed factory (including future expansion plans). Source: Yanmar

The company has acquired land at the Phoenix industrial site in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, where it plans to construct the new factory for activities such as the test operation of marine hydrogen engines.

According to Yanmar, the move comes as a response to the anticipation of increased production of marine and land‑use engines in the future.

The provisional name of the factory is Amagasaki Coastal Factory, with a planned total floor area of approximately 8,000 m² on a 33,898.27 m² site.

Operations are expected to start around March 2029.

“Through this initiative, the company aims to reorganize and strengthen its production system, including existing factories,” Yanmar said.

“Leveraging its expertise in engine development and manufacturing, Yanmar Power Solutions will continue to promote the development of powertrains compatible with next‑generation fuels such as hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia, as well as establish corresponding production systems.”

Yanmar Power Solutions recently became the first engine manufacturer in Japan to obtain both the type‑approval certificate and NOx certificate from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for its pilot‑ignition hydrogen‑fueled four‑stroke high‑speed engine for power generation for domestic coastal vessels.