Samsung Heavy signs battery deal with Bloom Energy

Samsung Heavy Industries has signed a joint development agreement with Bloom Energy, a San Jose, California-based provider of stationary fuel cells, to design and develop fuel cell-powered ships, the two parties announced on Tuesday.

The move is a part of efforts to transition from conventional sources of power – combustion-based power generation from bunker oil- toward cleaner energy in line with the International Maritime Organization’s mandated emissions reduction targets.

“Our goal is to replace all existing main engines and generator engines with these highly efficient solid oxide fuel cells to align with the International Maritime Organization’s 2030 and 2050 environmental targets,” said Jang Hae-ki, vice president of shipbuilding & drilling sales engineering at Samsung Heavy Industries.

The two companies received approval from Oslo's DNV, the internationally accredited marine shipping registrar and classification society, to proceed with a fuel cell-powered ship design last year.

By Park Eun-jee