Vogt LH2 Division to Supply Ultra-Cryogenic Globe Valves for Marine Liquefied Hydrogen Application Under NEDO Green Innovation Fund Program

Valves Qualified to ClassNK Requirements Using Vogt's Unique In-House Cryogenic Testing Facility Capable of Testing Down to -254°C

Cenate Sotto, Italy — Vogt LH2 Division announces it will supply vacuum-jacketed ultra-cryogenic globe valves for a marine liquefied hydrogen (LH2) application under the Green Innovation Fund project funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The project supports the development of marine hydrogen engines and a marine hydrogen fuel supply system (MHFS).

Supply Scope

Vogt LH2 Division's supply scope includes bellow-sealed vacuum-jacketed ultra-cryogenic valves engineered for LH2 service, intended for integration within the vessel's hydrogen fuel handling architecture. The valve design focuses on tight shutoff at cryogenic temperatures and fast, repeatable actuation suitable for key onboard functions including bunkering operations, isolation, and emergency shutdown (ESD) sequences.

Project Context

Within the NEDO program, Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) is developing a large, low-speed two-stroke hydrogen-fueled engine (6UEC35LSGH) intended for installation as the main engine of a 17,500-DWT hydrogen-fueled multi-purpose vessel being designed and built by Onomichi Dockyard Co., Ltd. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Kawasaki) is developing and manufacturing the MHFS for liquefied hydrogen fuel.

Following full-scale verification, the engine is scheduled for shipment in January 2027, with the vessel planned to enter a three-year demonstration operation starting in FY2028 under the operation of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and MOL Drybulk Ltd., with Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) conducting safety evaluations.

Vogt LH2 Division's engineering approach emphasizes marine-ready construction, qualified materials, and robust sealing strategies to support reliable operation and maintainability within this broader project, which is jointly advanced by J-ENG and Kawasaki in cooperation with MOL, MOL Drybulk, Onomichi Dockyard, and ClassNK.

ClassNK Qualification and Cryogenic Testing

The valves are qualified to the new ClassNK requirements for marine LH2 applications. Cryogenic qualification testing is performed using Vogt LH2 Division's dedicated in-house testing facility, located at its manufacturing site in Cenate Sotto, Italy. This facility utilizes a specially designed vacuum-sealed cryogenic test rig capable of performing tests down to -254°C — a capability that is unique within the global valve manufacturing industry.

The applicable test procedure has been reviewed and approved by an independent third-party marine certification body. Vogt LH2 Division is among the very few — and arguably the only — valve manufacturers in the world capable of performing full in-house cryogenic qualification testing at this temperature level, providing customers with direct, traceable, and independently verified test evidence without reliance on external test facilities.

Key Technical Features

The Vogt globe valve solution for shipboard MHFS service incorporates the following engineering features:

• Cryogenic tight shutoff and sealing — developed for LH2 duty to sustain performance through extreme thermal cycling from ambient conditions down to -254°C.

• Stem retention and safety-oriented design — supporting project hazard analyses and class/owner requirements.

• Vibration- and shock-tolerant construction — designed for shipboard service with attention to stem guidance, fastener retention, and resistance to loosening under cyclic loads.

• Maintainability in compact shipboard layouts — service-friendly topworks access and configuration flexibility to simplify installation, inspection, and planned maintenance.

• Full traceability and test documentation — including material certificates, pressure/seat testing records, and verification documentation aligned with project quality requirements.

• ClassNK Type Approval — supported by in-house cryogenic testing to -254°C using Vogt's unique dedicated test rig, reviewed and approved by an independent third-party marine certification body.

Marine Severe-Service Engineering

In addition to cryogenic performance, marine LH2 systems must address severe service conditions including continuous vibration, hull and piping movement, salt-laden atmospheres, compact machinery spaces, and safety cases reviewed against maritime standards and class requirements. Vogt LH2 Division's valve design directly addresses these conditions through marine-ready construction and qualified material selection.

Validation and Supply Support

Vogt LH2 Division will support the project through engineering collaboration, qualification testing, and supply of valves configured to project specifications. Validation activities include cryogenic performance and seat leakage testing, functional checks across representative operating cycles, and documentation deliverables consistent with the project's verification plan and class/owner expectations.

About Vogt LH2 Division

Vogt LH2 Division designs and manufactures valve solutions for liquefied hydrogen and other cryogenic applications, supporting customers across marine, industrial, and emerging energy markets. The division's engineering and quality processes emphasize safety, traceability, and performance in demanding environments. Vogt LH2 Division operates its in-house cryogenic test facility in Cenate Sotto, Italy, which is capable of qualification testing down to -254°C — a unique capability in the global valve industry.

For further information, please contact: Vogt LH2 Division — Cenate Sotto, Italy