The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), in collaboration with the Korean Register of Shipping (KR), has published a technical report on the safety of hydrogen-fueled vessels. By summarizing potential risks and mitigation measures related to the storage, supply, and fuel consumption systems of hydrogen-fueled ships, the report is expected to be utilized in reviewing safety standards for the shipbuilding and shipping industries.

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials announced on the 8th that its Reliability Research Center, part of the Virtual Engineering Platform Research Division, participated in the publication of the "Safety Review of Hydrogen Fuel Propulsion Ships" report in collaboration with the Korean Register of Shipping. The report was published in Korean and English and is available for viewing on the Korean Register of Shipping website.

Although hydrogen is considered a fuel that does not emit carbon during operation, ships must store it in the form of compressed hydrogen or liquid hydrogen at minus 253 degrees Celsius. Due to its wide flammability range and low ignition energy in the event of a leak, it requires a different safety review compared to conventional LNG fuel.

The report summarized the development trends of hydrogen fuel cell vessels and hydrogen internal combustion engine vessels, the configuration of storage, supply, and fuel consumption systems, and the major risk factors of offshore hydrogen systems. It analyzed leakage and diffusion, fire and explosion, cryogenic damage, and hydrogen embrittlement, and proposed ventilation, inactivation, material suitability verification, and gas and fire detection systems as risk reduction measures.

This report was published in conjunction with the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s approval of interim safety guidelines for hydrogen-fueled ships. As the IMO Maritime Safety Commission approved the relevant interim guidelines in May of this year, the refinement of international safety standards for the transition to eco-friendly ship fuels is also taking shape.

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) has been establishing infrastructure for ultra-low temperature hydrogen embrittlement testing and evaluation through the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' "Development of Safety Standards for Ship Hydrogen Storage Containers and Fuel Supply Systems." As cross-border hydrogen transportation and the expansion of hydrogen-based fuel supply chains are anticipated, this report is expected to serve as a reference for safety assessments and responses to international regulations within the domestic shipbuilding and shipping industries.