KR and HD Hyundai advance Korea’s Green Shipping Corridorthrough ammonia vessel trial

Korean Register (KR) is collaborating with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to establish a domestic operating environment for ammonia-fuelled vessels under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' "Green Shipping Corridor Construction Support Project". The initiative supports the development of ammonia as one of the most promising next-generation marine fuels.

HHI recently conducted a sea trial of Korea's first ammonia dual-fuel propulsion vessel (pictured, photo: HHI). The trial generated operational data on the vessel’s fuel supply system and engine, which will provide a valuable technical foundation for KR's future development of domestic guidelines for environmentally friendly vessel operations and supporting wider maritime decarbonisation efforts.

A spokesperson for HD Hyundai said: “Drawing on our group's R&D capabilities and on-site technical expertise, we have made meaningful progress in advancing the application of ammonia as a marine fuel. We expect this to help enhance a sustainable maritime ecosystem while strengthening the competitiveness of Korea's shipbuilding industry.”

Kim Daeheon, Executive Vice President of KR’s R&D Division, added: "The close collaboration between KR and HD Hyundai has enabled us to build the technical foundation for introducing ammonia-fuelled vessels in Korea. We will continue to drive national projects forward together with HD Hyundai and establish technical standards befitting the era of Green Shipping Corridors.”