Development of Eco-friendly Shipbuilding Test Platform by 2025

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Invests 36.4 Billion KRW Over 5 Years... Development of LNG-Ammonia Mixed Engine Technology

Perspective view of the universal test platform (ship). (Source: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 28th that it plans to develop a universal test platform by 2025 that can test and demonstrate ship propulsion systems such as electric and hydrogen on a single vessel. This is part of the "Korean-style Eco-friendly Ship Propulsion Strategy" promoted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries until 2030.

Typically, to develop eco-friendly ship propulsion systems, test vessels must be built according to the fuel propulsion system, such as electric or hydrogen. Constructing one demonstration vessel costs about 10 to 30 billion KRW. Accordingly, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has planned to develop a platform that allows various propulsion systems to be attached and detached on a single ship for testing.

Conceptual diagram of the universal test platform (ship). (Source: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries)

At the same time, the ministry decided to develop LNG-ammonia mixed fuel engine technology, which has a higher greenhouse gas reduction effect than liquefied natural gas (LNG), a widely used eco-friendly fuel. According to the ministry, LNG ships can reduce greenhouse gases by up to 30%, whereas mixing zero-carbon fuels like LNG and ammonia can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%. To this end, on the 23rd, the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering under the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology and the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials were selected as lead research institutions. These institutions will officially begin the platform development project in early next month and plan to complete the work by 2025. During this period, a test and research building with a total floor area of 5,000㎡ will be constructed at the redevelopment site of Namhang, Mokpo, Jeollanam-do.

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