Marine retrofit startup uses hydrogen to cut ship emissions and costs

Newlight has developed a hydrogen injection system for cargo ship engines that it says can cut fuel use by over 20% and save vessels up to $500,000 annually. The startup completed an 8,500-nautical-mile commercial voyage from Singapore to Ghana, reporting a 24% reduction in fuel consumption and 28% lower CO2 emissions. The company has raised a $9 million seed round to scale the retrofit technology.

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The system works by continuously monitoring engine parameters like exhaust temperature and combustion pressure, adjusting hydrogen flow with each piston stroke. This precision tuning is what allows the retrofit to optimize fuel efficiency without requiring engine replacement. The technology was tested aboard a 650-foot Lomar Shipping bulk carrier during its month-long journey between Singapore and Ghana.

Newlight's founders previously served in the Israeli Navy, where they gained experience with marine propulsion systems. The company's seed round drew support from both government-linked entities like BIRD Energy—a U.S.-Israel collaboration—and private