KRE (CEO Jang Gyeong-sik), a ship design company, and Vincen Co., Ltd. (CEO Lee Chil-hwan), a company specializing in eco-friendly (electric and hydrogen hybrid) ships and marine propulsion systems, have obtained AIP certification for a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system tugboat from the Korean Register of Shipping (Chairman Lee Hyeong-cheol).
Approval In Principle (AIP) is conducted in the early stages of a project to review the design validity and safety, and is a process of evaluating safety according to recognized design criteria and classification rules. Since engineering details may be limited in the early design stages, the review is usually focused on major design elements or innovative technologies.
The two companies achieved AIP certification in less than a year after promising friendly cooperation for technology alliance on eco-friendly hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems and joint research and development of ships at Vincen Co., Ltd.’s Yeongam, Jeollanam-do headquarters in April of last year.
The ultimate goal of this concept approval is the joint research and development of an eco-friendly hydrogen fuel cell tugboat in response to the strengthening of greenhouse gas emission regulations. KRE was in charge of the basic performance and layout engineering of the tugboat, and Vincen Co., Ltd. was in charge of the engineering of the eco-friendly hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system. Ultimately, this project aims to jointly develop a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system tugboat that takes into account the ship price competitiveness, and the two companies agreed to conduct additional detailed design for the commercialization of this AIP-approved ship and cooperate with each other so that it can be built and distributed at a reasonable ship price.
This vessel is a 2,700kW hydrogen fuel cell-based electric propulsion tugboat. KRE and Vincen Co., Ltd. are developing a hydrogen fuel cell-based electric propulsion tugboat, a sustainable and eco-friendly marine solution, to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in accordance with the IMO (International Maritime Organization)’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal. While existing port tugboats use diesel engines, which are the main culprit of air pollution and carbon emissions, this design integrates hydrogen fuel cells and battery energy storage systems to optimize efficiency and minimize carbon emissions.
The hydrogen fuel cell-based electric propulsion system is attracting attention as a clean and efficient next-generation alternative using mobile compressed hydrogen as fuel. Its main features include: First, it stores surplus power generated from the fuel cell in the battery, enabling low-load operations in preparation for future energy demands; and second, when high output is required, the stored energy in the battery assists the fuel cell output, ensuring stable and efficient propulsion, enabling peak-load operations.
It provides a practical and scalable solution for port operations and is designed to optimize hydrogen energy utilization to suit the operating profile of port tugboats. In addition, the development of an eco-friendly propulsion system is expected to satisfy current and future eco-friendly regulations, is optimized for harsh and special marine environments, and provide an eco-friendly total solution that includes not only fuel cell technology but also battery energy storage systems.
Meanwhile, Vincen plans to participate in Sea Asia 2025, which will be held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore in the last week of March, to promote Vincen's eco-friendly ships and propulsion systems. Vincen established a branch in Singapore, a strategic location connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans and home to the world's largest transshipment port, and is actively targeting the Southeast Asian market, including Singapore. Recently, Vincen's hydrogen fuel cell and battery systems were successfully applied to Singapore's first hydrogen energy marine solution project, and active discussions are underway with shipping companies related to logistics and energy regarding the project.
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