South Korean company hydrogen fuel cell developer Vinssen has received type approval certification from classification society RINA for its 60kW maritime hydrogen fuel cell stack.
The type approval process, conducted in accordance with IEC standards, included comprehensive performance and environmental testing. Vinssen says its fuel cell stack passed all evaluations, demonstrating durability, safety, and operational reliability under maritime conditions. Among the key assessments was a vibration test that verified the system’s structural resilience under specific frequency and acceleration profiles, which is critical for onboard maritime use.
In addition, the dielectric strength test confirmed the system’s ability to resist high-voltage stress without compromising insulation integrity. Vinssen believes that these results underline the robustness of its fuel cell stack for shipbuilding and maritime deployment.
Looking to the future, the company is actively working on a high-capacity 150kW fuel cell stack and an onboard fuel cell power generation system powered by reformed gas composed of 75% hydrogen and 25% nitrogen. These innovations are designed to enable the use of megawatt-class hydrogen systems on larger vessels, significantly expanding the potential for zero-emission maritime transport.
Vinssen says that as the maritime industry navigates toward IMO decarbonisation targets, certified hydrogen-based propulsion systems are likely to play an essential role in shaping a cleaner, more energy-efficient future for global shipping.
Image: Vinssen hydrogen fuel cell (source: Vinssen)
