- New MoU Signed to Develop High-Efficiency SOFC Hybrid Propulsion System.
- Joint Development Project Targets Emissions Reduction and Operational Flexibility.
- Lloyd’s Register to Provide Technical Guidance and Regulatory Compliance.
Lloyd’s Register (LR), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have come together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at developing a cutting-edge hybrid propulsion system that incorporates Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology for LNG carriers with a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters. This agreement was formalised at Norshipping 2025 and sets the stage for a Joint Development Project (JDP) focused on creating a propulsion system that significantly enhances efficiency, reduces emissions, and offers greater operational flexibility compared to traditional systems, reports LR.
Collaboration and Roles
According to the MoU, HD KSOE and HHI will spearhead the design of the hybrid propulsion system, while Lloyd’s Register will lend its expertise by providing technical guidance and conducting design reviews to ensure that the system complies with all relevant regulations and standards.
Industry Leaders Emphasise the Importance of Partnership
Sung-Gu Park, President – North East Asia, Lloyd’s Register, said: “By collaborating on complex, high-impact projects such as this, LR reinforces its position as a leading technical authority and decarbonisation partner. By combining our technical expertise with HD KSOE and HHI’s innovative design capabilities, we’re developing solutions that will help the industry meet its sustainability targets while maintaining operational efficiency.”
Commitment to Technological Leadership and Sustainability
Chang Kwangpil, Senior Executive Vice President of HD KSOE, highlighted the strategic value of the partnership: “Through this partnership, we are able to demonstrate our technological leadership in hybrid propulsion vessels. This underscores our proactive commitment to meeting increasingly stringent environmental regulations and driving forward sustainable shipping solutions.”
Advancing Zero-Carbon Fuel Technologies
Ryu Hong-Ryeul, CTO and Executive Vice President of HHI, added: “This JDP represents a crucial step towards the commercialisation of zero-carbon fuel technologies for large LNG carriers. We’re confident that this hybrid system will deliver substantial environmental benefits while meeting the operational requirements of shipowners and charterers.”
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Source: LR
