USPTO Patent Granted for Fuel Cell Ship

ChangeBridge: Patent Grants - Batteries (H01M)

Published March 24th, 2026

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

The USPTO has granted a patent (US12583570B2) to YANMAR HOLDINGS CO., LTD. for a fuel cell ship. The patent describes a ship propelled by electric power from a fuel cell, with a dedicated fuel tank compartment.

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What changed

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted patent US12583570B2 to YANMAR HOLDINGS CO., LTD. for a fuel cell ship. The patent covers a design for a ship that utilizes electric power generated by a fuel cell, which converts fuel through an electrochemical reaction. A key feature is the installation of a fuel tank compartment below the deck, separate from other compartments.

This patent grant represents the addition of new intellectual property in the maritime and energy sectors, specifically concerning alternative propulsion systems for vessels. While not a regulatory mandate, it signifies technological advancement and potential future industry standards for fuel cell integration in shipping. Compliance officers in the maritime and energy sectors should note this development as an indicator of evolving technologies.

Source document (simplified)

← USPTO Patent Grants

Fuel cell ship

Grant US12583570B2 Kind: B2 Mar 24, 2026

Assignee

YANMAR HOLDINGS CO., LTD.

Inventors

Yukihiko Kimura, Takehiro Maruyama, Yasuyoshi Yamaguchi, Takuya Hiraiwa, Manabu Shinagawa

Abstract

An exemplary fuel cell ship is a fuel cell ship for propelling a hull by using electric power supplied from a fuel cell that generates electric power through an electrochemical reaction of fuel, and includes a tank compartment installed therein with a fuel tank that stores the fuel. The tank compartment is provided below a deck of the hull and provided separately from other compartments.

CPC Classifications

B63H 21/38 B63H 21/17 B63H 21/32 B63H 2021/003 B63H 21/00 B63H 9/061 B63H 9/04 B63H 9/0635 B63H 9/067 B63H 11/11 B63H 21/14 B63H 21/24 B63H 9/10 B63H 21/20 H01M 8/04201 H01M 8/04753 H01M 8/04955 H01M 2250/20 H01M 16/006 H01M 8/04089 H01M 8/04447 H01M 50/30 B63J 2/06 B63J 2/10 B63J 2/02 B63J 1/00 B63J 3/02 Y02T 90/40 Y02T 70/50 Y02T 70/10 B63B 11/02 B63B 11/04 B63B 35/14 B63B 1/04 B63B 17/0027 F17C 2221/012 F17C 2270/0184 F17C 2270/0168 F17C 2270/0763 F17C 2205/0323 F17C 2250/043 A62C 2/06 A62C 3/00 A62C 35/02 B60L 2200/32 B60L 53/54 Y02E 60/50 Y02E 60/32