Splash247: Hyundai Motor brings hydrogen push to shipping with new fuel-cell drive

Hydrogen’s footprint in transport is widening – from cars and buses to tractors and now ships – with Hyundai Motor stepping up as a key catalyst.

This week in Seoul, Hyundai Motor signed a multilateral MOU with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and Pusan National University to develop and commercialise hydrogen fuel-cell systems for vessels, marking a significant crossover of automotive hydrogen technology into the maritime sector.

Under the agreement, the partners will create a ship-specific hydrogen fuel cell and a hybrid electric propulsion system combining hydrogen co-fired diesel engines with fuel cells. The technology is based on Hyundai’s mass-produced fuel cell platforms already deployed in vehicles.

A hydrogen co-fired diesel engine blends hydrogen with conventional diesel during combustion, a process expected to cut harmful exhaust emissions and improve efficiency compared with standard marine engines. The integrated system will be designed by HD KSOE, with Hyundai supplying ship-optimised fuel cells and Pusan National University conducting testing, evaluation and demonstration through its Hydrogen Ship Technology Center.

The companies are targeting applications in eco-friendly vessel segments, including liquefied hydrogen carriers, with Hyundai planning to complete development following an on-water demonstration phase before moving toward wider commercial rollout in partnership with HD KSOE.

Hyundai Motor is not the only automaker looking to maximise revenues from their pioneering fuel cell tech by targeting shipping. Japanese car giant Toyota has developed a fuel cell system for maritime applications.