The South Korean shipbuilding giant HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has launched a new research and development facility dedicated to maritime decarbonization. This Marine Innovative R&D facility, located at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) yard in Ulsan, will focus on simulating and testing a wide range of processes including shipboard cargo operations and technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
KSOE already has R&D setups for green technologies, but this new facility will take a comprehensive approach to predict the performance of various technologies from a land-based setting before they are actually installed on ships. This will improve the safety and reliability of new ship types using green technologies. An official from HD KSOE stated that as environmental regulations become stricter, the reliability of various technologies is crucial.
The first tasks of the new facility will include testing the performance of reliquefaction equipment for liquefied carbon dioxide carriers (LCO2). Reliquefaction helps reduce emissions and ensures that more cargo reaches its destination. HD Hyundai is currently constructing two of the world’s largest LCO2 carriers for Greek shipowner Capital Maritime Group, with delivery scheduled for next year.
The R&D facility will also test a technology for producing dry ice in ship cargo holds, which could significantly improve the transportation of perishable goods. KSOE plans to expand the range of green technologies and ship types tested at the facility by 2026. This expansion will include new propulsion systems for vessels such as ammonia and methanol-fueled ships, as well as hybrid electric systems.
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