• Follow Us On Our Preferred Social Media Platform:

VINSSEN launches hydrogen fuel cell vessel demonstration project in Korea

06 Apr 2023

Maritime fuel cell technology provider VINSSEN Co., Ltd., (VINSSEN) on Wednesday (5 April) is set to launch a demonstration project under the regulatory exemption for ‘hydrogen fuel cell propulsion ship fuelling and operation’, as approved by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) in Korea.

The firm said Korean legislation lacks standards for hydrogen fuel cell vessels despite growing global momentum in maritime decarbonisation. At present, hydrogen fuelling stations are also limited to automobiles, highlighting a need to establish operational standards for hydrogen vessels.

Following confirmation that its design qualifies under MOTIE’s regulatory exemption, VINSSEN will build a 16m leisure boat powered by a 200kW fuel cell system and 125kW battery hybrid system with the support of municipal authorities from Jeolla Provance in Korea (where VINSSEN is headquartered). 

VINSSEN will also develop and operate mobile hydrogen fuelling stations at the Daebul Industrial Complex’s mooring station. These will be constructed as integrated packages with vessel-specific monitoring technologies.

VINSSEN will be supported by (i) Jeonnam Technopark, which will assist in the execution of the regulatory sandbox project, technical support, and commercialisation; (ii) Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI), which will evaluate vessel stability and hydrogen fuel cell system performance; and (iii)Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), which will provide support for the welding technology and quality management methods to enhance the overall standards.

“The shipbuilding industry is a sector that should prioritise development and application of eco-friendly technologies due to heavy dependence on fuel oil and diesel, which results in high carbon emissions,” VINSSEN’s CEO Lee Chil-han said. 

“We hope that the demonstration project facilitates the establishment of rules and regulations that will expedite Korea’s development of hydrogen vessel technology”

In 2019, the Ministry of SMEs & Startups and Ulsan Metropolitan City designated the “Hydrogen Green Mobility Special Zone” to commercialise hydrogen fuel cell vessels, with VINSSEN successfully demonstrating a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion project from January 2020 to March 2022.

Furthermore, VINSSEN is in the process of building and delivering a 14m electric vessel that will navigate Suncheon Bay National Garden’s waterways during the 2023 Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo in April. In addition to its focus on fuel cell technology, VINSSEN is also positioned to support maritime electrification with battery solutions. When paired with batteries, fuel cells can benefit from increased efficiency and longer operational ranges.

“VINSSEN is set to spearhead further progress in maritime fuel cell technology and maritime electrification, including expected Type Approval in April 2023 for a maritime lithium-ion battery System from Korean Register (KR) and Korea Marine Surveyor & Sworn Measurers’ Corporation (KOMSA),” it said. 

Photo credit: VINSSEN
Published: 6 April, 2023

Related News

Featured News

Our Industry Partners

PR Newswire