Hydrogen-burning Baker Hughes NovaLT gas turbine gets RINA type approval

L to R: Giosuè Vezzuto, marine executive VP at RINA, hands NovaLT TA certificate to Ahmed Eldemerdash, VP climate technology solutions at Baker Hughes. [Photo: Baker Hughes]

Genoa-headquartered class society RINA has granted Baker Hughes type approval for its NovaLT 16 gas turbine technology, specifically to operate on natural gas and up to 100% hydrogen for marine propulsion applications.

Originally developed for industrial power generation applications, the NovaLT gas turbine family combines compact design, high efficiency and operational flexibility. The technology operates in the 12–17 megawatt (MW) range in simple cycle and up to 22 MW in combined cycle applications, offering high availability and extended maintenance intervals of up to 35,000 hours.

Through a dedicated maritime validation process, the NovaLT 16 technology meets the specific requirements of onboard installation and operation, enabling compliance with maritime regulations and seamless integration into ship systems.

Announced during Posidonia 2026 in Athens, Greece, the type approval milestone is a significant step in an ongoing collaboration between RINA and Baker Hughes to explore the use of advanced gas turbine technology in the maritime sector, as shipowners seek viable solutions to decarbonise operations in response to evolving regulatory frameworks.

“This certification highlights the value of early collaboration between technology developers and classification societies when introducing innovations to the maritime sector,” said Giosuè Vezzuto, marine executive vice president at RINA. “By supporting the assessment of the NovaLT turbine, we contribute to ensuring that the solution is aligned with safety, performance and regulatory expectations.”

“Decarbonizing maritime shipping requires solutions that deliver performance today and flexibility for tomorrow—without compromising reliability or safety,” said Ahmed Eldemerdash, vice president climate technology solutions at Baker Hughes. “With RINA’s type approval of our NovaLT 16 turbine, we are advancing a proven, fuel-flexible platform ready for real-world marine applications.”

As the maritime sector accelerates its transition to alternative fuels, gas turbines are gaining attention for their high-power density, operational flexibility, and ability to support new propulsion architectures, including electric and hybrid systems for lower CO2 emissions. Baker Hughes NovaLT turbine technology is designed to operate with natural gas and is being further enhanced to support multiple fuels, including low- and zero-carbon fuels such as 100% hydrogen – positioning it as a key enabler for long-term maritime decarbonization,

Previously, Baker Hughes and Hanwha Group reported that they were working on developing an ammonia-fueled gas turbine for use in LNG carriers and containerships (see story).