Korean Register (KR) and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) have agreed to work together to develop new propulsion systems capable of handling green fuels including ammonia and hydrogen.
Ammonia and hydrogen as fuel is expected to be more technically demanding than LNG. Requirements that need to be addressed include the toxicity of ammonia, hydrogen embrittlement, cryogenic conditions equivalent to -253° C, and diffusion characteristics.
DSME aims to commercialize ammonia-powered container ships by 2025 based on its advanced technology and is at an advanced stage in developing eco-friendly fuel technologies, including low-carbon ammonia carriers and liquefied CO2 carriers.
As well as publishing guidelines for ammonia-fuelled ships, KR is developing its own hydrogen-powered ship rules and is working on enhanced decarbonization initiatives to ensure ship safety and a greener future.
The move follows announcements that KR and DSME are also cooperating on autonomous vessel technology and a liquefied CO2 carrier. They are also collaborating on the technology standardisation and commercialisation of solid oxide fuel cells for ships.
