HD Hyundai Mipo kick-starts production of ammonia-powered ships

South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Mipo, an affiliate of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, revealed it has developed an ammonia-powered ship using a number of domestic technologies.

The recently developed standard ammonia dual-fuel propulsion ship can transport 45,000 cubic meters of liquefied petroleum gas, ammonia, or vinyl chloride monomer (VCM).

On March 26, 2024, the shipbuilder received approval in principle (AiP) from Norwegian classification company DNV at the HD Hyundai Global R&D Center (GRC) in Seongnam, Gyeonggi.

“Based on this certification, we will proactively respond to the IMO (International Maritime Organization) eco-friendly regulations that require a 100% reduction in ship greenhouse gas (GHG) volume by 2050 compared to 2008, and prepare for the future,” Lee Dong-jin, Head of HD Hyundai Mipo Basic Design Division, commented.

As informed, the ammonia dual-fuel propulsion ship is 190 meters long, 30.4 meters wide, and 18.8 meters high. It is equipped with a 10,000-horsepower dual-fuel 2-stroke large engine that selectively uses ammonia and diesel fuel.

In addition, HD Hyundai Mipo has domestically produced an ammonia leak prevention system that completely blocks even small amounts of ammonia without leaking to the outside.

The Korean shipbuilder developed a standard ammonia dual-fuel propulsion ship after about four months of joint research with Swiss engine maker WinGD, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Engine and Machinery Division, and DNV.

HD Hyundai Mipo was responsible for the basic design of the standard ship, WinGD provided detailed engine specifications and operating data, and DNV was in charge of safety and suitability review.

Ammonia is an eco-friendly, carbon-free fuel that is attracting attention in the global shipping industry due to its economic efficiency and supply stability. It can be stored in a pressurized tank or a low-temperature tank (-34 ℃ ) without cryogenic technology, and when liquefied, the storage density is 1.7 times higher than liquefied hydrogen in the same volume, so it is considered suitable for large-scale long-distance transportation and storage of hydrogen.

Earlier this week at the 50th shareholders’ meeting, the company decided to change its name from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard to HD Hyundai Mipo, reflecting its intention to move away from the traditional manufacturing base and expand into an engineering-centered, future-oriented business in line with the changes in an industrial environment driven by decarbonization and digitalization.

According to the shipbuilder, HD Hyundai Mipo is promoting digital manufacturing innovation that leads to a groundbreaking change in production processes and methods through data integration from design to production. At the same time, it is actively promoting innovations such as electric propulsion ships, ammonia propulsion ships, liquefied carbon dioxide carriers, and liquefied hydrogen carriers.

“The plan is to further accelerate the development of next-generation ships to achieve carbon neutrality,” HD Hyundai Mipo pointed out.

In related news, HD Hyundai Mipo recently unveiled the country’s first pilot vessel intended for autonomous navigation.

The vessel, Pos Singapore, will verify core autonomous operation technologies such as the intelligent navigation system and engine automation system being developed in Korea.