Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Ulsan City Ease Regulations on Hydrogen Mobility

Hydrogen Charging Stations Now Serve Hydrogen Forklifts and Vessels
Boosting the Local Hydrogen Industry, Expanding the Market, and Advancing Commercialization

Ulsan City, in collaboration with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, expanded and improved the scope of hydrogen charging stations through the demonstration project of the 'Ulsan Hydrogen Green Mobility Regulation-Free Special Zone.' As a result, hydrogen charging, previously limited to hydrogen vehicles, is now available for a broader range of hydrogen mobility solutions.

The Ulsan Special Zone was designated in December 2019 with the aim of establishing a supply chain for hydrogen-based innovative growth and creating an industrial ecosystem.

Twenty-three companies have participated in the special zone, promoting regulatory exemption projects such as: demonstration of hydrogen fuel cell indoor logistics transport machinery (forklifts and automated guided vehicles); establishment and demonstration of mobile hydrogen charging stations; demonstration of hydrogen fuel cell vessels; and establishment and demonstration of hydrogen charging stations for vessels.

The 23 participating companies are Hanyoung Technochem, Wonil TNI, Gaoncell, VNATech, Korens RTX, Comemtech, Iljin Hysolus, Smart Ocean, Hana TPS, Unipack, SIS, Vincen, Bumhan Fuel Cell, JNK Heater, Aprotium, HLB ENG, Ulsan Technopark, Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai Genuine, Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Glovis, Dawon CNS, and HNS.

As a result, the 'Provisional Standards for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Equipment for Vessels' were established and have been applied as inspection standards for hydrogen fuel cell vessels since April 4, 2023.

Furthermore, starting in May 2025, amendments to the 'Enforcement Rules of the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act' and the 'Special Standards for Facilities of Converged, Packaged, and Mobile Vehicle Charging Stations' have come into effect. These changes improved the previous regulations, which had only allowed hydrogen charging for hydrogen vehicles at hydrogen charging stations.

Accordingly, hydrogen fuel charging is now permitted for a wider range of hydrogen mobility solutions, including forklifts and vessels. Compliance with charging standards has also been made mandatory, thereby strengthening safety management.

In addition, as part of the special zone project, companies have filed 46 intellectual property applications and completed registration of 10 patents. The project also attracted 44.7 billion KRW in corporate investment, and 13 companies relocated to the Ulsan Special Zone, contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.

The 46 intellectual property applications include unmanned transport vehicles equipped with hydrogen fuel cell power packs and hydrogen mobility safety monitoring terminals. The 10 registered patents include hydrogen supply devices for fuel cells for vessels and safety systems to prevent overflow in high-pressure hydrogen pipelines.

The 13 companies that relocated are Smart Ocean, Vincen, Bumhan Fuel Cell, JNK Heater, Gaoncell, Hanyoung Technochem, S Advanced Materials, Iljin Hysolus, VNATech, Korens RTX, Comemtech, Wonil TNI, and Hyundai Mobis.

An official from Ulsan City stated, "Based on the success of the Ulsan Special Zone project, we will continue to take the lead in commercializing and promoting eco-friendly hydrogen mobility solutions such as hydrogen forklifts and hydrogen vessels."

Achievements Related to the Hydrogen Green Mobility Special Zone

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