The affiliates of South Korean conglomerate HD Hyundai – HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), HD Europe Research & Development Center, and HD Hydrogen – have signed a joint development project (JDP) agreement with Norway-based classification society DNV and German cruise operator TUI Cruises to explore the application of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems on cruise vessels.

As informed, SOFC is a fuel cell that generates electricity by reacting hydrogen, extracted from sources such as natural gas or ammonia, with oxygen. It is said to reduce carbon and pollutant emissions because it produces electricity without combustion.