Samsung Heavy gets DNV OK for fuel cell-powered LNG carrier

South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries and US-based Bloom Energy have received basic design approval from classification society DNV for their fuel cell-powered LNG carrier.

This approval in principle would help commercialize the world’s first LNG carrier operating on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), according to SHI.

In September 2019, Samsung became the first shipyard in the world to receive an approval in principle by DNV for a fuel cell-powered Aframax crude oil tanker. In July last year, the yard signed a joint development agreement with Bloom Energy.

The fuel cell-powered LNG carrier does not require an internal combustion engine or other equipment that uses oil, the yard said. The technology replaces oil-based power generators with solid oxide fuel cells using LNG as fuel.

Therefore, it does not generate harmful substances such as sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) and it can also significantly reduce CO2 emissions, it said.

SHI said it would conduct tests at the new LNG pilot test facility at its Geoje shipyard before launching full-scale marketing for the technology.

Most Popular

LNG carrier arrives to load first LNG Canada cargo

The 174,000-cbm GasLog Glasgow has arrived at the LNG Canada jetty in Kitimat to load the first LNG cargo produced at the Shell-led terminal, an LNG Canada spokesperson told LNG Prime on Saturday.

Knutsen, Shell name ninth LNG newbuild

Norwegian shipowner Knutsen and UK-based energy giant Shell have named the ninth and final LNG carrier in a series of 174,000-cbm vessels.

BP seals LNG SPA with Italy’s A2A

UK-based energy giant BP has signed a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal with Italian electricity and gas distributor A2A.

More News Like This

DNV: LNG remains fuel of choice

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) remains the clear fuel of choice for alternative-fueled vessel orders, with 87 new ships ordered, totaling 14.2 million gross tonnes so far in 2025, according to classification society DNV.

Samsung Heavy cancels LNG carrier contract with Russia’s Zvezda

South Korean shipbuilding giant Samsung Heavy Industries has terminated contracts for 10 ice-class Arc7 LNG carriers and seven shuttle tankers with Russia's Zvezda.

Cosco Shipping’s yards get DNV OK for FLNG concept

China's Cosco Shipping (Qidong) Offshore and Cosco Shipping Shipyard (Nantong), both part of Cosco Shipping, have received approvals from classification society DNV for their nearshore floating LNG production unit.

Steel cut for Cedar’s FLNG in South Korea

South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries has officially started building Cedar LNG's floating LNG production unit, which will be installed in Kitimat, on Canada’s West Coast.