Hanwha Aerospace has become the first company in South Korea to obtain type approval for hydrogen fuel cells designed for ships, paving the way for its entry into the eco-friendly vessel market.
The company announced on November 10 that it received type approval from the Korean Register of Shipping (KR) for its hydrogen fuel cells. Type approval is a certification process that verifies a product's compliance with international maritime technical standards and classification regulations. This certification is essential for installing hydrogen fuel cells on marine structures such as ships and drilling rigs, requiring proof of performance and safety in extreme maritime conditions.
Hanwha Aerospace passed the KR's manufacturing process and quality management system review after undergoing tests simulating various maritime environments, including vibrations and tilting. This marks the first type approval of its kind in South Korea and the fifth globally.
Previously, Hanwha Aerospace had been developing a 200kW hydrogen fuel cell system for ships since 2024. In the same year, it received concept approval (AiP) from the Norwegian classification society DNV for its polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC).
The newly approved hydrogen fuel cell boasts an energy efficiency exceeding 50% at its rated output of 200kW. According to Hanwha Aerospace, this high efficiency reduces fuel costs and allows for longer distances to be traveled with the same amount of fuel, making it suitable for long-distance vessels.
With this certification, Hanwha Aerospace plans to promote the installation of hydrogen fuel cells on commercial vessels. The company aims to secure domestic business achievements before expanding its operations to overseas shipyards.
A representative from Hanwha Aerospace stated, "As environmental regulations in the maritime sector tighten, the importance of eco-friendly hydrogen fuel cells has increased, and we will accelerate our efforts to penetrate both domestic and international ship markets."
Meanwhile, the market anticipates that Hanwha Aerospace will create synergies in the eco-friendly ship business by leveraging Hanwha Ocean's shipbuilding capabilities following this hydrogen fuel cell type approval.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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