Hyundai Motor is set to apply its hydrogen fuel cell system technology for marine vessel propulsion systems with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hyundai Global Service and Korea Register (KR).
Revealed on Thursday (July 8), the MoU marks a significant milestone for Hyundai Motor as it is the company’s first strategic partnership involving the application of its fuel cell system technology in the shipbuilding industry.
This could spearhead a new generation of zero emission seafaring vessels.
The collaboration is also expected to serve as a platform to identify and evaluate business opportunities for fuel cell-powered ships positioning Hyundai Motor as a leader in the global eco-friendly vessel industry with the development of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems.
Hyundai Motor will be providing the fuel cell systems as well as technical support whereas Hyundai Global Service will manufacture and commercialise the fuel cell-based propulsion system.
With this, KR will then be responsible for establishing standards for type approval, which all fuel cell-propelled vessels need to meet in order to receive approval for commercial use.
The project aims to bring a propulsion system for small-sized vessels to the market in the second half of 2022 with medium to large vessels expected to follow in the future.
Saehoon Kim, Executive Vice-President and Head of Fuel Cell Center at Hyundai Motor Group, said, “This MoU signals Hyundai Motor’s entry into the fuel cell-powered marine vessel market, made possible through our cooperation with Hyundai Global Service and Korean Register.
“We hope our decades-long experience and capabilities in hydrogen fuel cell technologies, combined with the expertise of Hyundai Global Service and Korean Register in the maritime industry, will usher in a new era of greener and cleaner shipping.”
Source: h2
