Indonesia partners with Pusan National University to develop hydrogen-based waste management vessel

[Courtesy of Pusan National University]

SEOUL -- Indonesia's maritime ministry will work with the Pusan National University to develop and utilize a hydrogen ship capable of cleaning up ocean waste. A joint research institute will be also established at the university located in South Korea's southern port city of Busan.

Pusan National University (PNU) said in a statement that the institute signed an agreement on June 2 to cooperate in the shipbuilding and maritime affairs. The two organizations will carry out various projects in Indonesia's coastal regions such as cleaning the oceans and producing hydrogen using discarded materials.

Indonesia with a population of some 273 million and 17,000 islands has suffered from marine environmental problems. The country produces one of the most plastic waste in the world along with China, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Many South Korean shipbuilders are trying hard to develop green technologies for ships. In December 2021, domestic shipbuilder Vinssen tested South Korea's first hydrogen-electric boat that can operate for about 6 hours at 18.5 kilometers (11.5 miles) per hour only with a 40-minute charge of a fuel cell module weighing about 18 pounds. The company is currently building hydrogen fuel cell infrastructure in Singapore by cooperating with the Singaporean office of Bureau Veritas Marine, an agency specializing in inspecting marine safety.

Kim Joo-heon jhkim123@ajunews.com

Indonesia partners with Pusan National University to develop hydrogen-based waste management vessel

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