HLB tests a hydrogen cell-powered vessel on the Taehwa River in Ulsan, April 21. Courtesy of HLB

By Baek Byung-yeul

HLB, a manufacturer of ships and pharmaceutical products based in the southeastern port city of Ulsan, succeeded in testing a hydrogen-powered ship called Bluebird, taking a step toward the commercialization of ships using eco-friendly energy, the company said Friday.

HLB has built more than 8,000 lifeboats and special-purpose ships for the past 47 years. The company was also chosen by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups for an eco-friendly hydrogen-powered small ship production project. It succeeded in developing the country's first hydrogen-powered ships after three years of research and development.

The company conducted the test on the Taehwa River in Ulsan on April 21.

"The Bluebird hydrogen-powered ship ran back and forth along the river for 40 minutes to check its performance," a company spokesman said.

The hydrogen-powered ship is 11.95 meters long and 3.3 meter wide. It is equipped with a 25-kilowatt fuel cell and eight 50-liter hydrogen tanks. The company said the ship can reach a speed of up to 10 knots.

When operated only by hydrogen fuel cells, it can run for six hours. The company added the Bluebird can run up to eight hours when using an auxiliary battery together with the hydrogen fuel cells.

At the test event were Ulsan Mayor Song Cheo-ho, Ulsan Technopark Chairman Kwon Soo-yong and Do Soon-ki, president and head of HLB's shipbuilding unit.

"With greenhouse gas reduction, including Korea's 2030 reduction goal, becoming a global trend, the development of eco-friendly hydrogen ships is an inevitable task," the Ulsan mayor said. "HLB should work hard to develop hydrogen cruise ships as soon as possible and use them in the city."

Do said the company will continue to focus on the commercialization of hydrogen-powered ships.

"The first operation of a hydrogen-powered ship developed by HLB's ship business division in the beautiful Taehwa River is of great significance not only to the company but also to the community and related industries," Do said.