Doosan Fuel Cell Launches Development of Eco-Friendly 'Fuel Cells for Ships'

Doosan Fuel Cell is partnering with the global shipping company Navig8 to develop eco-friendly fuel cells for ships. Doosan Fuel Cell plans to install the Korean high-efficiency solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) currently under development on a 50,000-ton petrochemical product carrier ordered by Navig8 and conduct demonstrations as a propulsion power source and onboard power supply.

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Doosan Fuel Cell announced on the 10th that it has partnered with global shipping company Navig8 to develop fuel cells for eco-friendly ships. This is the first case where Doosan Fuel Cell, which has focused on power generation fuel cell business, has discovered a new business model linked to the hydrogen industry.

Doosan Fuel Cell stated that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Navig8 on the 9th for the joint development of fuel cells for ship propulsion and power generation. Navig8, a global shipping company headquartered in Singapore, owns more than 140 vessels transporting petrochemical products and crude oil.

Doosan Fuel Cell plans to install the Korean high-efficiency Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) currently under development on a 50,000-ton petrochemical product carrier ordered by Navig8 and conduct demonstrations as propulsion power and onboard power supply. Navig8 will be responsible for ship design review and various technical support for actual application in cooperation with related organizations such as the Korean Register.

Fuel cells for ships are considered a future eco-friendly energy source capable of responding to greenhouse gas emission regulations for ships.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced stringent regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry by 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels. Accordingly, the shipping industry is exploring eco-friendly energy sources such as ammonia and hydrogen, in addition to using low-sulfur fuel and installing desulfurization devices.

According to Clarksons Research, a UK-based shipbuilding and shipping analysis firm, new ship orders amount to an average of 30 million CGT (Compensated Gross Tonnage) annually. If engines are converted to fuel cells to meet IMO environmental regulations, new orders for ship fuel cells totaling 300 GW are expected by 2050.

Moreover, ship fuel cells have higher power generation efficiency compared to conventional marine fuels, and fuel cell modules can be freely arranged inside ships, which is expected to lead to innovation in basic ship design.

Yoo Soo-kyung, CEO of Doosan Fuel Cell, said, “Since ship engines are ordered directly by shipowners from shipbuilders, cooperation with shipowners has the advantage of enabling stable business development, and at the same time, direct demonstration on ships owned by shipowners is possible, which is expected to significantly advance the commercialization timeline.”

She added, “Fuel cells for ships will be a good alternative for the shipping industry to respond to environmental regulations on ship engines. Doosan Fuel Cell will continue efforts to enter the eco-friendly ship market and promote various new businesses related to hydrogen.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.