Daewoo Shipbuilding Starts Localization of Permanent Magnet Shaft Generator Motors

Hyosung Heavy Industries and Permanent Magnet Type Domestic Production Joint Research Launch

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) is advancing the localization of core ship equipment by leveraging eco-friendly technology.

On the 21st, DSME announced that it held a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony with Hyosung Heavy Industries for the "Joint Research and Development of Large-Capacity Permanent Magnet Shaft Generator Motor (SGM) Localization." About 10 representatives from both companies attended the event, including Choi Dong-gyu, Executive Director and Head of Central Research Institute at DSME, and Kim Young-hwan, Executive Director at Hyosung Heavy Industries.

The shaft generator motor is equipment that generates the electricity needed for ship propulsion by utilizing the rotational power of the engine shaft. As environmental regulations have been gradually strengthened recently, the global shipping industry is devising various measures to respond. In this context, the shaft generator motor is considered one of the representative eco-friendly new technologies that can reduce reliance on generator operation, improve fuel efficiency, and decrease emissions of carbon dioxide and sulfur oxides.

Both companies had already succeeded in localizing the "Induction Type" shaft generator motor in 2019 and have been applying this system to LNG carriers, LPG carriers, and ultra-large crude oil carriers. However, container ships, which require large capacity, have had to rely almost entirely on imported products.

Therefore, the two companies are jointly responding by developing new technology using "Permanent Magnet" instead of the existing method. Applying this technology can fundamentally improve fuel efficiency by about 3% compared to the existing system, and its relatively smaller size allows flexible overcoming of spatial constraints caused by hull modifications.

Most importantly, once this research is completed, permanent magnet shaft generator motors can be procured purely with domestic technology, achieving both "localization of core equipment" and "strengthening of order competitiveness." There is particular anticipation as this will enable the application of shaft generator motors to all ship types, including container ships.

Choi Dong-gyu, Executive Director at DSME, said, "Through this joint research, we will enhance technological and price competitiveness in the market and contribute to improving order competitiveness by localizing core ship equipment."

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