ABS and Korean alliance to develop small hydrogen-powered vessel
Classification society ABS, Korea Hydrogen Industry Association and University of Ulsan have agreed to develop a vessel powered by hydrogen-based fuel cells.
PHOTO: Vessel powered by hydrogen fuel cell. Getty Images
The 40-seat vessel will be powered by a 350-kW hydrogen fuel cell for electric propulsion. The vessel is expected to be used for tourism purposes, according to ABS.
The agreement will “provide an opportunity to explore differentiated technologies in the fields of hydrogen and shipbuilding,” said Ock Taeck Lim, professor at the University of Ulsan.
Hydrogen is gaining popularity within the short-sea shipping segment for its zero-emission properties.
Norwegian ferry operator Torghatten Nord recently announced that it would build two new hydrogen vessels and convert two of its existing LNG ferries to run on hydrogen by October 2025. The ferries will operate in Vestfjorden, a 155-km-long fjord off Norway's northwestern coast.
Future Proof Shipping (FPS) will also retrofit its FPS Waal inland container ship with hydrogen fuel cell-based propulsion system. The vessel's internal combustion engine will be replaced with a new propulsion system, which will include fuel cells, hydrogen storage and battery packs.
Larger vessels, however, will require high-efficiency solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) rather than proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells for longer journeys. Since SOFC technology is still in its nascent stage, it may take some time before ocean-going vessels can run on hydrogen.
By Konica Bhatt
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