SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

VINSSEN powers an LR2 tanker fully with ammonia-fuelled fuel cells

VINSSEN becomes a central player in designing the world’s first commercial transport vessel fully powered by a fuel cell using ammonia as a hydrogen carrier.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

VINSSEN, a South Korean company specialising in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) systems, has been designated as the lead technology partner for the development of a 115,000 deadweight tonne LR2 tanker, whose propulsion will be provided exclusively by a fuel cell powered by ammonia. This world first marks a significant step forward in the industrial integration of alternative propulsion technologies at scale.

The project recently passed a major regulatory milestone with the award of an Approval in Principle (AIP) by the classification society Bureau Veritas. The authorisation was granted under a Joint Development Project (JDP) involving the Malaysian group MISC Berhad and shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries. The AIP confirms the technical feasibility of this new generation of vessel and its compliance with international safety standards.

A 12 MW modular system to meet propulsion needs

VINSSEN has designed a modular system capable of delivering up to 12 MW from six modules of its self-developed 2 MW MEGA FC 2.0 fuel cell. This architecture allows flexible power scaling for vessels of different sizes. The system covers main propulsion, cargo handling and onboard power supply.

VINSSEN’s PEMFC technology is combined with an Ammonia Cracking System (ACS) supplied by Panasia, enabling the extraction of the hydrogen required to operate the cells. This technical combination represents a significant development compared with earlier marine fuel cell applications, historically limited to auxiliary functions or small vessels.

A regulatory framework under development

Beyond the technological challenges, the project led to the development of new safety protocols and engineering standards adapted to the use of ammonia on board. These foundations will serve as a reference for future developments in the maritime transport sector powered by alternative fuels.

According to VINSSEN, this project paves the way for large-scale integration of fuel cells in commercial shipping, with potential expansion to other vessel types. The company plans to continue the technical and commercial validations required for operational deployment in the coming years.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Natural uranium will be sufficient to fuel nuclear reactors until 2100
EDP inaugurates a 16MWc solar park on brownfield land in Menestreau
Russian oil and gas revenues seen falling to $206.1bn in 2025
EDF pushes back Flamanville EPR restart to 17 October
BP approves Tiber-Guadalupe, $5 billion project in the Gulf of Mexico
Global hydrogen production to reach $322.3bn by 2035, driven by industry demand
The global hydrogen production market is expected to more than double by 2035, supported by technological advances and growing demand from transport, heavy industry and decarbonised energy systems.
Accelera installs 5MW electrolyser in Bavaria with Tyczka Hydrogen
Accelera will supply a 5MW electrolysis system at the Port of Schweinfurt, aiming to produce 2.2 tonnes of green hydrogen daily for industrial and logistics applications in central Germany.
Hy2gen secures zoning approval for renewable ammonia plant in Norway
The Sauda municipal council has approved the zoning plan for the Iverson project, paving the way for a 270 MW electrolysis facility powered by hydropower to produce renewable ammonia.
Sinopec connects five provinces with 1,500 km hydrogen corridor along Yangtze River
Sinopec reaches a milestone in hydrogen logistics with a 1,500 km journey from Shanghai to Hubei, supported by a network of 146 stations and 11 supply centres.
H2med Alliance expands to 49 members with reinforced political support
Meeting in Berlin, the H2med Alliance formalised the integration of 40 new industrial members and received increased government backing to accelerate the development of Europe's hydrogen corridor.
Woodside, JSE and Kepco launch liquid hydrogen supply chain project
Woodside Energy, Japan Suiso Energy and Kansai Electric Power are joining forces to develop a liquid hydrogen supply chain between Australia and Japan, with production planned at a new facility in Perth.
Element One acquires two natural hydrogen projects in British Columbia
Element One Hydrogen announces the acquisition of two geological properties focused on natural hydrogen and critical minerals in Canada for $10,000 and 1.25 million shares.
Cavendish secures €1.3mn contract to expand hydrogen station in Poland
Cavendish Hydrogen has signed a contract with PAK-PCE H2 Stations to upgrade the Rybnik station, which will now support a fleet of more than 30 hydrogen-powered buses in southern Poland.
Storengy secures three key permits for underground hydrogen storage in northeastern France
Storengy strengthens its footprint in the Grand Est region with two new exploration permits, expanding its research programme on underground hydrogen storage.
France: Créteil inaugurates the largest renewable hydrogen station powered by waste
The H2 Créteil station, powered by an Energy Recovery Unit, will produce up to two tonnes of renewable hydrogen per day starting in October 2025.
Hydrogen fuel cell market to reach $42.3bn by 2035 with 20% growth
Driven by technological advances and supportive policies, the global hydrogen fuel cell market is rapidly expanding, with a projected valuation of $42.3bn by 2035.
Lhyfe becomes Europe’s first RFNBO hydrogen producer with 21 MW certified
With four sites now RFNBO certified in France and Germany, Lhyfe reaches 21 MW of installed capacity, strengthening its position as a European leader in renewable hydrogen production through water electrolysis.
ACWA Power partners with Larsen & Toubro for 4 GW hydrogen complex in Yanbu
ACWA Power and Larsen & Toubro will collaborate on renewable infrastructure for a green hydrogen project in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, targeting 4 GW of electrolysis capacity by 2030.
HIF Global selects Electric Hydrogen to equip its e-fuels plant in Texas
HIF Global has chosen American-made electrolyser technology from Electric Hydrogen for its large-scale e-methanol production project in Texas, marking a major industrial milestone in the synthetic fuels sector.
HRS signs new order with Element 2 for a mobile station in Scotland
French manufacturer HRS will supply Element 2 with a mobile HRX14 hydrogen station for Glasgow, marking its fourth installation in the UK and strengthening its position in the British market.
NaTran, RTE and Storengy pool hydrogen to ease the power system
A regional study in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes shows that pooling hydrogen infrastructure could generate up to 20% in savings and enhance the national electricity system’s flexibility.
Elcogen opens €50mn plant in Estonia for fuel cells and electrolysers
Elcogen opens a 14,000 m² facility near Tallinn, increasing annual capacity to 360 MW for Solid Oxide fuel cells and electrolysers, with backing from Baker Hughes and HD Hyundai.
Stimulated geologic hydrogen: methods, costs, technology maturity and key risks
Several subsurface stimulation techniques aim to generate hydrogen in situ at low cost. Pilots are advancing, but heterogeneous Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), geological uncertainties, and monitoring requirements are slowing investment.
Viridien partners with Mantle8 to accelerate natural hydrogen exploration in EMEA
Viridien takes a strategic stake in Mantle8 to boost natural hydrogen exploration across Europe, the Middle East and Africa by combining geological data and seismic detection technologies.
AquaVentus and Hydrogen Scotland partner on North Sea hydrogen production corridor
A partnership between AquaVentus and Hydrogen Scotland aims to connect Scottish offshore wind farms to a cross-border green hydrogen production and export infrastructure in the North Sea.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.

[wc_register_modal]