Doosan Fuel Cell and Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Jointly Develop Fuel Cells for Eco-Friendly Ships

[Asia Economy Reporter Su-yeon Woo] Doosan Fuel Cell announced on the 18th that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the shipbuilding holding company of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, to jointly develop eco-friendly fuel cells for ships.

The signing ceremony held at the Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Future Technology Research Institute in Bundang First Tower was attended by Doosan Fuel Cell's Executive Director of R&D and New Business Division, Sang-jin Moon, and Executive Director of Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Basic Technology Research Institute, Woo-seung Shim, among others.

Munsangjin, Executive Director of Doosan Fuel Cell (left), and Sim Wooseung, Executive Director of Hyundai Heavy Industries, are taking a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement for the 'Joint Development of Fuel Cells for Ships.' Photo by Doosan Fuel Cell

The two companies will develop a MW-class Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system and conduct joint research and development in the shipbuilding and offshore sectors for future maritime demonstration. Doosan Fuel Cell will be responsible for the design, manufacturing, safety evaluation, and system control technology development of the ship fuel cell system, while Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering will handle fuel cell layout design considering the unique marine environment and the development of ship-linked system control technology.

Fuel cells for ships are high-efficiency power sources that generate electricity using raw materials such as hydrogen and liquefied natural gas (LNG), improving power generation efficiency by about 40% or more compared to conventional ship engines. Additionally, they emit fewer pollutants such as sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides and can reduce greenhouse gases, making them a key technology for the era of eco-friendly ships.

With the International Maritime Organization (IMO) announcing a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% or more compared to 2008 levels by 2050, the two companies aim to proactively develop ship fuel cells to secure a competitive edge in the shipbuilding industry.

Executive Director Moon said, "Ship fuel cells can replace not only existing power generation engines but also main propulsion engines, and energy efficiency can be improved through an Energy Management System (EMS). Doosan Fuel Cell will strive to develop fuel cells that can be used in various applications beyond power generation and ship use."

Meanwhile, Doosan Fuel Cell decided last October to develop a Korean-style high-efficiency SOFC and is currently carrying out a national project under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy aiming for domestic mass production of the Korean-style SOFC system starting in 2024.

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