South Korea's First Hydrogen-Powered Tugboat Receives Approval for Eco-Friendly Port Operations
Key Ideas
  • Vinssen's hydrogen-powered tugboat in South Korea receives Approval in Principle for its innovative design featuring a 2,700kW hydrogen fuel cell.
  • The vessel's energy-efficient system combines hydrogen fuel cells with battery storage to optimize performance during different operational scenarios.
  • This project is a result of a partnership between Vinssen and KRE, aiming to deliver a scalable and environmentally-friendly propulsion system for port operations.
  • South Korea is also advancing in hydrogen technology with the construction of a hydrogen-powered leisure boat and the US successfully demonstrating a hydrogen-powered tugboat.
Marine specialist Vinssen has achieved an Approval in Principle (AiP) in South Korea for the country's first hydrogen-powered tugboat. The certification was awarded by the Korean Register for a tugboat equipped with a 2,700kW hydrogen fuel cell that can store excess electricity in batteries for low-load operations. During high-demand scenarios, the stored energy complements the fuel cell's power, ensuring stable and efficient propulsion. Vinssen highlighted the vessel's eco-friendly propulsion system, designed to optimize hydrogen energy usage and comply with environmental regulations while maintaining high performance in marine environments. This project, resulting from a Memorandum of Understanding with KRE, showcases innovation in the marine industry. The development of a hydrogen-powered leisure boat in South Korea further demonstrates the country's commitment to sustainable marine technology. Similarly, in the US, Amogy achieved success by retrofitting a tugboat with a hydrogen power system, contributing to zero-emission marine transportation. These advancements underscore the global shift towards eco-friendly marine operations and the growing role of hydrogen technology in the sector.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.