Business · Energy & Commodities · 8 hrs ago
Hanwha Aerospace wins South Korea’s first approval for a ship hydrogen fuel cell
Hanwha Aerospace has won South Korea’s first type approval for a hydrogen fuel cell designed for ships.
The approval came from the Korea Register, South Korea’s ship classification society, after the system passed tests for marine conditions such as vibration and tilting.
The certification is required before hydrogen fuel cells can be installed on ships or offshore structures such as drilling rigs.
The system produces 200 kilowatts of power and has an energy efficiency of more than 50%, which can reduce fuel costs and help vessels travel farther on the same amount of fuel.
This is the fifth such approval worldwide, according to the company’s announcement.
Hanwha began developing the system in 2024 and plans to pursue installations on commercial ships, then expand its business overseas.
Hanwha Aerospace has received South Korea’s first type approval for a ship hydrogen fuel cell from the Korean Register.
The approval followed tests in marine conditions, including vibration and tilting, and reviews of manufacturing and quality-control systems.
The approved system has an energy efficiency of more than 50% at its rated output of 200 kilowatts.
Ship hydrogen fuel cells have received type approval five times worldwide, the report said.
Hanwha Aerospace plans to pursue installations on commercial ships and expand overseas based on domestic projects.
- Who
- Hanwha Aerospace received the approval from the Korean Register.
- What
- It received South Korea’s first type approval for a ship hydrogen fuel cell.
- When
- The company announced the approval on Nov. 10, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Type approval certifies that a product meets international marine technical standards and classification rules. Without it, the fuel cell cannot be installed on ships or offshore structures.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hanwha Aerospace began developing a ship hydrogen fuel cell system and obtained concept approval from Norway’s DNV for a ship polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.
The company announced that it had received type approval from the Korean Register.
- Approving body
- Korean Register (KR)
- Rated output
- 200 kilowatts
- Energy efficiency
- More than 50% at rated output
- Domestic distinction
- South Korea’s first type approval for a ship hydrogen fuel cell
- Global count
- Fifth type approval worldwide for a ship hydrogen fuel cell
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What people are saying
This type approval is the result of official recognition of our technological capability to install hydrogen fuel cells on actual ships.