Maritime decarbonization technology company Vinssen. which specialises in hydrogen fuel cells and integrated system solutions, has obtained type approval from the Korean Register (KR) and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its 150kW marine fuel cell module.
Following its earlier approval from the Italian classification society RINA, Vinssen now holds type approval from three major global classification societies for the same module. The module is based on proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology and is specifically designed for shipboard applications, meeting international classification requirements for design, safety, and performance. Obtaining the type approval certificate (TAC) requires both a project design assessment (PDA) and a manufacturing assessment (MA).
The PDA evaluates technical design and compliance, while the MA assesses production conditions and quality systems, including quality management, facilities, and process control. These assessments ensure compliance with classification standards and formally recognise the manufacturer’s quality management capabilities, which are essential for the safety certification of ships and offshore structures.
The 150kW fuel cell module serves as a building block for a 250kW system, which is modular and scalable toward megawatt-class hydrogen propulsion systems. The system can be flexibly applied as either an onboard power generator or a main propulsion source, and is suitable for a wide range of vessels, from small craft to large commercial ships.
The module has obtained project approval from the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority (KOMSA). KOMSA’s technical rules and safety requirements are aligned with the IMO regulatory framework, confirming that the module meets safety standards for both domestic and international operations.
Vinssen CEO Chil-Han Lee said: “Type approval from KR and ABS confirms that our technology meets the stringent safety and reliability standards required for marine environments. We will continue to advance high-power fuel cell modules and integration technologies, building a flexible hydrogen propulsion platform for various vessel types and power ranges.”
Image: Vinssen’s FCPI 250 modular fuel cell system (source: Vinssen)
