Hyundai Motor to Develop Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Ships and Tractors

On December 2, Hyundai Motor Company signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the development and commercialization of hydrogen fuel cells for ships, in partnership with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Pusan National University, at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul.

The signing ceremony was attended by Ken Ramirez, Executive Vice President of HMG Energy & Hydrogen Business Division at Hyundai Motor Company; Changhwan Kim, Executive Vice President of Electrification Energy Solutions at Hyundai Motor Company R&D Division; Gwalpil Jang, Executive Vice President of Future Technology Research Institute at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Sanghoo Park, Vice President for External Strategy at Pusan National University; Jaemyung Lee, Head of Hydrogen Ship Technology Center; and other key officials.

From the left, Changhwan Kim, Executive Vice President of Electrification Energy Solutions at Hyundai Motor Company R&D Division; Ken Ramirez, Executive Vice President of HMG Energy & Hydrogen Business Division at Hyundai Motor Company; Gwalpil Jang, Executive Vice President of Future Technology Research Institute at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Sanghoo Park, Vice President for External Strategy at Pusan National University

Through this agreement, the companies plan to develop a hybrid electric propulsion system that combines Hyundai Motor Company's hydrogen technology with hydrogen fuel cells for ships and hydrogen dual-fuel diesel engines (internal combustion engines that burn a mixture of diesel fuel and hydrogen). They also aim to commercialize these technologies for eco-friendly vessels such as liquefied hydrogen carriers.

Hyundai Motor Company will supply hydrogen fuel cells optimized for ships, leveraging its existing fuel cell technology from hydrogen electric vehicles (FCEVs) such as 'The All-New NEXO.' HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will be responsible for the integrated design of the hybrid electric propulsion system, which consists of the hydrogen dual-fuel diesel engine and Hyundai's hydrogen fuel cell. Pusan National University will evaluate and demonstrate the system designed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

This collaboration is expected to serve as a catalyst for proactively responding to global carbon regulations and securing a leading position in the next-generation eco-friendly ship market. Recently, as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) strengthened carbon regulations for the shipping industry with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, demand for eco-friendly ships has increased.

Ken Ramirez, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company, stated, "This collaboration marks an important first step toward achieving carbon neutrality and expanding a sustainable global maritime industry. By combining Hyundai Motor Company's hydrogen fuel cell technology, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' expertise in shipbuilding and marine engineering, and Pusan National University's research capabilities in hydrogen ships, we will set a new standard for future marine mobility."

From the ninth on the left: Kim Dugyeom, Mayor of Ulsan; Kwon Sungkeun, Head of TLS Business Division at Lotte Global Logistics; Ahn Hyodae, Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs of Ulsan; Kim Dongwook, Vice President and Head of Strategic Planning Office at Hyundai Motor Company; Jo Samhyun, Head of SCM Business Division at Hyundai Glovis.

In addition, Hyundai Motor Company signed an MOU the previous day to introduce hydrogen electric tractors into the logistics ecosystem near Ulsan Port. The company plans to cooperate with Ulsan City, Hyundai Glovis, Lotte Global Logistics, and CJ Logistics. This will be the first time in South Korea that the public and private sectors collaborate to deploy hydrogen electric tractors on actual freight transport routes.

Kim Dongwook, Vice President and Head of Strategic Planning Office at Hyundai Motor Company, stated, "Tractors are the most challenging vehicles to convert to eco-friendly models. Based on the demonstration results, we will push forward with the mass production and distribution of hydrogen electric heavy-duty trucks and lead the global eco-friendly logistics market."

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