The world’s first vessel equipped with a variety of eco-friendly power sources, including hydrogen fuel cells, will be launched into the sea.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 30th that it is building an offshore test bed that can demonstrate various eco-friendly power sources and equipment with low carbon emissions on a single ship and will hold a launching ceremony in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province on the 31st.
This event will be attended by the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Plants, the host research institute, private companies such as Korea Made, which built the ship, Jeollanam-do and Mokpo City, and other academics and affiliated organizations interested in the eco-friendly shipping and shipbuilding industry.
The newly built ship has a gross tonnage of 2,600 tons (length 82.6 m, width 18 m), and is the first in the world to be able to simultaneously test the safety and performance of various eco-friendly power sources, such as MW-class hydrogen fuel cells, secondary batteries, and hybrid engines, on a single ship.
In the past, it took a lot of time and money to build demonstration ships for each eco-friendly power source or to use overseas ships, but this technology development is significant in that it will ease the financial burden on the industry and reduce dependence on overseas countries.
The vessel will undergo sea trials and test operations starting later this year, and will be used for full-scale verification and equipment performance evaluation starting in 2026.
Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung said, “The successful construction of this offshore demonstration ship is expected to contribute to the early commercialization of eco-friendly ships,” and emphasized, “We will do our best to lead technology, such as standardizing the new technologies we possess.”