VINSSEN has launched HYDRO ZENITH, Korea’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered ship
VINSSEN has launched HYDRO ZENITH, Korea’s first hydrogen fuel cell–powered ship developed in compliance with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ Interim Standards.
As explained, the launch ceremony took place on 18 December at VINSSEN’s land-based test facility in Yeongam, South Korea, with participation from local government officials, industry partners and research institutions.
HYDRO ZENITH is designed and built fully in line with national ship safety regulations and is equipped with two 100 kW hydrogen fuel cell systems and four 92 kWh battery packs, enabling hybrid propulsion.
Furthermore, the ship achieves speeds of up to 20 knots (37 km/h) and reportedly features zero emissions, low noise and high operational efficiency. The hydrogen fuel cell system has been safety-verified through KOMSA pre-certification, demonstrating deployability without regulatory exemptions.
In addition, the vessel integrates advanced digital monitoring systems for real-time tracking of vessel performance and energy usage, enabling predictive maintenance, optimized operations in line with the maritime industry’s transition toward digital and data-driven operations.
According to VINSSEN, the project represents a strong model for public–private collaboration, jointly funded by Jeollanam-do Province, Yeongam County and VINSSEN, with support from leading Korean research institutions.
Chil-Han Lee, CEO, VINSSEN, said:
HYDRO ZENITH will play a key role in validating hydrogen vessel safety standards through real-sea trials and accelerating the commercialization of zero-emission marine mobility.
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VINSSEN has launched HYDRO ZENITH, Korea’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered ship, source
