Business Sectors
Events
Ship Recycling Webinar Week
04 Nov 2025
GMT - ONLINEContents
Register to read more articles.
Shell-led collaboration to test fuel cell in LNG carrier
South Korean shipbuilders continue to push the boundaries of technologies to advance decarbonisation in the next generation of LNG carriers, with one of the latest efforts involving the application of fuel cells
The country’s largest shipbuilding group, Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), said it signed a consortium agreement in Seoul on 11 October to demonstrate fuel cells for ships with Shell, Doosan Fuel Cell, HyAxiom and DNV. KSOE is the holding company for Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).
The agreement signing ceremony was attended by KSOE vice chairman and chief executive Samhyun Ka, KSOE Advanced Research Center head Sungjoon Kim, Shell senior vice president Karrie Trauth, HyAxiom president and chief executive Jeff Hyungrak Chung, Doosan Fuel Cell executive vice president and chief operating officer Hooseok Che and DNV regional manager for Korea & Japan Vidar Dolonen.
Under the agreement, HHI will use a 600-kW high-efficiency solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) for power generation in a 174,000-m3 LNG carrier chartered by Shell starting in 2025.
Results from the pilot will be used to develop and supply “high-efficiency, eco-friendly ships that can apply fuel cells to propulsion power sources in the long term”, according to a press statement.
Fuel cells will be used for auxiliary power for one year on an actual trade route.
Based on the accumulated expertise in shipbuilding for more than 50 years, HHI will build the ship, design and install SOFC placements, and integrate the ship system.
Shell will be in charge of managing and operating the ship and managing the demonstration project, while Doosan Fuel Cell and HyAxiom will develop and supply fuel cells for the ship. DNV will conduct inspections of the structure and equipment of the demonstration ship for accreditation registration.
IMO has announced environmental regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2050 based on 2008 levels. This has led to the application of high-efficiency fuel innovation systems, such as fuel cells, as well as R&D in using alternative fuels such as LNG, hydrogen, methanol and ammonia.
“The shipbuilding and shipping industries are experiencing rapid innovations, environmentally... and digitally,” said KSOE vice chairman Mr Ka, adding this shipboard fuel cell demonstration project will “speed up marine decarbonisation.”
Shell, one of the world’s largest charterers of LNG tonnage, has been instrumental in piloting and applying technologies such as air lubrication systems and digitalisation to improve the energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption across its fleet.
“This consortium and the cutting-edge technology we’re pioneering could help deliver less carbon-intensive operations in the near term while unlocking a pathway to net-zero through the blending of conventional and alternative fuels until zero-carbon options are available at scale,” said Ms Trauth.
Riviera Maritime Media reported on the consortium in February, and last year LNG Shipping & Terminals reported on an approval in principle granted by DNV to a SOFC-powered LNG carrier concept from Samsung Heavy Industries and US-based Bloom Energy.
Beyond this agreement, Hyundai Heavy Industries Group is developing its own SOFC technologies to promote fuel cell development projects.
The LNG Shipping & Terminals Conference Europe will be held 16-17 November 2022. Register your interest and access more information here
Related to this Story
Events
Ship Recycling Webinar Week
04 Nov 2025GMT - ONLINE
International Bulk Shipping Conference 2025
18 Nov 2025London
Tankers 2030 Conference
19 Nov 2025Singapore
Maritime Navigation Innovation Webinar Week
24 Nov 2025GMT - ONLINE
© 2024 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.
