Vinssen has announced it will launch a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion ship fuelling and operation project, approved by the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The company will construct a 16m boat powered by a 200kW fuel cell system and 125KW battery hybrid system, and it will develop and operate mobile hydrogen fuelling stations at the Daebul Industrial Complex’s mooring station.
Jeonnam Technopark will assist in executing the projects technical support and commercialisation, Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute will evaluate the vessel stability and hydrogen fuel cell system performance, whilst Korea Institute of Industrial Technology will provide support for the welding technology and quality management methods.
Vinssen claims Korean legislation falls short in its standards for hydrogen fuel cell vessels and that hydrogen fuelling stations are currently limited to automobiles.
Lee Chil-han, Vinssen CEO, said, “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 carbon emissions.”
“We hope that the demonstration project facilitates the establishment of rules and regulations that will expedite Korea’s development of hydrogen vessel technology.”
Vinssen first unveiled its ‘first’ commercialised hydrogen electric boat at the 2021 Busan International Boat Show, winning the event’s Best Boat of the Year award.
The Hydrogenia is 32.8ft long and has a maximum capacity of six people, capable of travelling at 10 knots for six hours.
