South Korea has launched its first hydrogen fuel cell-powered ship, ‘Hydro Zenith’ at Vinssen’s land-based test facility in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do Province.
Hydro Zenith is 17.4m long, weighs 32t, and has an aluminium hull. It is powered by two 100kW hydrogen fuel cells and four 92kWh lithium-ion battery packs, enabling hybrid propulsion.
The vessel can achieve speeds of up to 20 knots while operating with zero emissions, low noise, and high efficiency. The hydrogen fuel cell system has been safety-verified through KOMSA pre-certification, demonstrating that it can be deployed without regulatory exemptions.
In addition, Hydro Zenith is equipped with digital monitoring systems that track vessel performance and energy use in real time, helping improve maintenance planning and support more efficient operations.
The project was jointly funded by Vinssen, Jeollanam-do Province, and Yeongam County, with support from Korean research institutions.
Hydro Zenith has received inspection and certification from the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority, establishing its viability as an alternative for green shipping in tourism and leisure sectors.
Image: ‘Hydro Zenith’ (source: Vinssen)
