The South Korean Ministry for Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy released a green ship development plan on 23rd December 2020.
The aim is to slash the greenhouse emission by 70% using hydrogen vessels compared to existing oil vessels by 2030. During the next five years, the ministries will complete all the necessary technology development work and then will develop mass hydrogen supply infrastructure by 2030. Before the completion of the first zero-carbon ships, LNG vessel would fill the vacuum.
The plan is to kick off research and development (R&D) projects to develop advanced electric and hybrid propulsion to promote low carbon technologies. The aim is to develop carbon-free ship technology by using hydrogen and ammonia fuel cells.
Initially, small ships will be developed to test the technology before expanding the technology to large ships. Both ministries will start the initial research works and contemplating to spend 960 billion won next year.
