- SHI received an AIP from Bureau Veritas (BV) for its ammonia-based hydrogen fuel-cell system

- MISC will participate in the vessel development.

- SHI has localized core equipment in collaboration with Korean companies PANASIA and VINSSEN.

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) announced on the 24th that it has received an Approval in Principle (AIP) from Bureau Veritas (BV) of France for the basic design of an ammonia-based hydrogen fuel-cell–powered crude oil tanker.

An ammonia-based hydrogen fuel-cell system produces electricity by cracking ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen, supplying the extracted hydrogen to a fuel cell, and generating power through the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.

This AIP applies to 115,000-DWT crude oil tanker. The vessel is equipped with a low-temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), which enables rapid start-up and offers excellent durability.

To further enhance safety, SHI distributed high-capacity ammonia cracking units (5MW × 2) and hydrogen fuel-cell systems (2MW × 6) across the deck and engine room, while also minimizing noise and vibration.

SHI also localized key equipment by incorporating cracking units supplied by Korean company PANASIA and fuel-cell systems developed by VINSSEN.

Malaysia`s state-owned shipping company MISC and classification society BV will participate in the vessel development, offering operational data and conducting future economic evaluations. Their involvement is expected to strengthen technological reliability and accelerate commercialization.

“Fuel cells are a vital propulsion technology for next-generation eco-friendly vessels,” said Hae-ki Jang, Chief Technology Officer (VP) of SHI. “Samsung Heavy Industries will continue to lead the development of hydrogen mobility technologies and products through ongoing R&D.”

Meanwhile, on the 9th of September at Gastech 2025 held in Milan, Italy, SHI obtained AIP certifications for an MSR-powered LNG carrier and an 80K-class liquefied hydrogen carrier, further accelerating the development of eco-friendly products.