Hyundai Motor-Hyundai Global Service Promote Commercialization of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems for Ships

Hyundai Motor Group-Hyundai Heavy Industries Group-Korean Register Collaboration
Launching Global Eco-Friendly Hydrogen Fuel Cell System Market for Ships

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Hyundai Motor Company is teaming up with Hyundai Global Service and Korean Register to pioneer the hydrogen fuel cell market for ships.

Hyundai Motor announced on the 8th that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the commercialization of an eco-friendly hydrogen fuel cell system package for ships on the 7th at the Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The signing ceremony was attended by Kim Se-hoon, Vice President of Hyundai Motor's Fuel Cell Business Division, Lee Ki-dong, CEO of Hyundai Global Service, and Lee Hyung-chul, Chairman of Korean Register.

This agreement aims to develop a hydrogen fuel cell system package for ships using the fuel cells (PEMFC) currently applied and sold in vehicles, obtain classification approval, and commercialize the product by the second half of 2022.

Accordingly, Hyundai Motor will be responsible for supplying the fuel cell system, Hyundai Global Service, a ship service specialist company of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, will develop and commercialize the hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system for ships equipped with the fuel cells, and Korean Register will be responsible for approval and inspection of the fuel cell propulsion system developed based on classification regulations.

The three companies expect that through collaboration combining Hyundai Motor's fuel cell technology with ship specialist companies and ship certification institutions, they will develop and commercialize a highly reliable hydrogen fuel cell system package for ships, laying the groundwork for future entry into the global eco-friendly ship market.

In particular, while Hyundai Motor previously only supplied fuel cell systems simply to shipbuilders, this agreement marks a significant step as it will lead the ship market by being the first to collaborate on the development and commercialization of a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion package for ships.

Vice President Kim said, "This MOU is significant as Hyundai Motor is making a full-scale entry into the fuel cell ship market through cooperation with Hyundai Global Service and Korean Register," adding, "We hope that our long-standing experience and capabilities in hydrogen fuel cell technology combined with the expertise of Hyundai Global Service and Korean Register will open a new era in the eco-friendly ship market."

CEO Lee also said, "Considering the recent demand for eco-friendly ships, the collaboration among the three companies is expected to bring innovative changes to the market," and added, "Through this agreement, Hyundai Global Service plans to proactively respond to the upcoming hydrogen economy market and related eco-friendly ship demand by establishing a foundation to introduce commercially operable ships to the market."

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