Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering Fast-tracks the Development of the Original Technology for an Eco-Friendly Ship​

The Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) fast-tracks the development of the original technology for eco-friendly ships in order to accomplish carbon neutrality by 2050. KRISO plans to secure the original technologies for high-value ships in terms of digitalization, autonomous navigation, and carbon-free ships, supporting their position to remain as Korea's top company in the shipbuilding, marine, and plant industries.

This project aims for the concentrated support for the development of eco-friendly ship technologies through the propulsion system development, demonstration, legislation, and standardization procedures for eco-friendly ships, and then widening the gap between Korea and the other competitors in new markets globally.

According to the full cycle innovative technology development project plan for eco-friendly ships, the Korean government and its relevant organizations aim to develop the core and design technologies to achieve a 70% reduction of GHG emissions of ships in the corresponding field by 2031.

KRISO plans to prove the performance and safety of new technologies by developing the relevant trials, evaluation, and securing the coastal ship development and supply.

In addition, KRISO is lobbying for relevant legislative actions on the standards to apply and commercialize new technologies for eco-friendly ships through the international response to eco-friendly ships, the domestic and foreign standardization situation, and the system improvement, establishing policy-level support and the industry's ecosystem.

KRISO is expected to take a pioneering role in the research and development of the original technologies for the project. KRISO is the only Korean research institute, which is funded by the government, in the field of ships and offshore plant engineering. They perform various R&Ds on eco-friendly and autonomous ships, offshore plants, and maritime energy, safety, the environment, and system.

KRISO steadily develops the original technologies in the field of ships and offshore plant engineering, based on the various research institutes (including linear towing tank, deep-sea engineering water tank, large cavitation tunnel, and ice tank) and excellent researchers.

As part of the eco-friendly ship technology development project, KRISO plans to complete the development of Korea's original electric ferry for the first time, and there are currently 162 car ferries operating in Korea. However, it has been pointed out that the existing car ferries use diesel fuels, creating carbon dioxide emissions, smoke, noise, and smell.

On the other hand, the car ferry to be constructed next year uses electricity only, thus no exhaust gases or pollutions are emitted. On top of that, the car ferry will use the world's first portable and replaceable power supply system, requiring no high-voltage facilities to install at ports for direct charging. This will allow for passenger satisfaction because no vibration would be felt by them while sailing.