KSOE to demonstrate fuel cell ship operation
HHI Group launched a demonstration project to apply fuel cells, as a next-generation energy source, to large vessels.
Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) (HHI Group’s shipbuilding sector company) has signed a consortium agreement to demonstrate fuel cells for ships with Shell, Doosan Fuel Cell, HyAxiom, and DNV.
Under the agreement, HHI Group will use a 600KW high-efficiency Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) for power generation on a 174,000 cubic-meter LNG carrier to be run by Shell from 2025. Based on this, it will develop and supply high efficiency. These eco-friendly ships can apply fuel cells to propulsion power sources in the long term.
This LNG carrier will use fuel cells as an auxiliary power unit (APU) and perform its demonstration for one year on the actual trade route.
Based on its expertise in shipbuilding for over 50 years, HHI Group will build a ship, design and install SOFC placements, and integrate the ship system.
Shell will be in charge of managing and operating the ship, as well as managing the demonstration project, while Doosan Fuel Cell and HyAxiom will develop and supply fuel cells for the ship. DNV will conduct inspections of the structure and equipment of the demonstration ship for accreditation registration.
In addition to this agreement, HHI Group is developing its own SOFC technologies to promote fuel cell development projects.
KSOE Vice Chairman Ka said, “We expect to preoccupy next-generation eco-friendly ship technologies and speed up marine decarbonization through this fuel cell-applied ship demonstration.”
Karrie Trauth, SVP of Shipping & Maritime at Shell, said, “This consortium and the cutting-edge technology we’re pioneering could help deliver less carbon-intensive operations in the near term while unlocking a pathway to net-zero through the blending of conventional and alternative fuels until zero-carbon options are available at scale.”
