HD Hyundai Mipo recently received AiP from DNV for a green product tanker design with a carbon-free electric propulsion system based on the Corvus Energy inherently gas-safe PEM fuel cell system. The system combines hydrogen fuel cell technology with an ammonia cracking process, which extracts hydrogen from ammonia, enabling zero-emission vessel propulsion.
Zero-emission propulsion using hydrogen from ammonia
Hydrogen produced from ammonia is fed into the fuel cell, which produces electricity to power the vessel’s propulsion and onboard systems. If using green ammonia, the only emissions from this process are nitrogen (N2) and water vapour (H2O).
“At HD Hyundai Mipo, we are committed to shaping the future of sustainable shipping through innovation and partnerships. The selection of Corvus Energy’s inherently gas-safe fuel cell system was driven by the overall safety and Corvus’ experience in electric propulsion systems. This design collaboration represents a major milestone in our journey to deliver commercially viable, carbon-free vessel designs that meet the highest safety and environmental standards,” said Dongjin Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of the Initial Design Division and Detailed Design Division at HD Hyundai Mipo.
The new vessel design incorporates an 8.8 MWh Corvus Pelican Fuel Cell System and a 2 MWh energy storage system (ESS) as part of the electric propulsion design.
A new standard for sustainable maritime transportation
“We are proud to collaborate with HD Hyundai Mipo on this green product tanker design. Ammonia is easier to store due to its volumetric energy density and less extreme storage conditions. By integrating our modular, inherently gas-safe hydrogen fuel cell system and marine ESS, we help set a new standard for sustainable maritime transportation. Enabling zero-emission sailing for larger vessel types represents a major step forward in decarbonising the shipping industry and driving innovation toward a cleaner future,” added Svenn Kjetil Haveland, Interim Head of Fuel Cell at Corvus Energy.
DNV has reviewed the design to ensure it meets applicable standards of safety and operational efficiency related to the usage of ammonia as a marine fuel and provided technical advice for further design development.