Korea’s top shipbuilder teams with Germany’s largest semiconductor manufacturer

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), which oversees South Korean shipbuilding giant Hyundai, is looking at every form of tech to slash emissions in future newbuilds, investing huge sums in research into diverse new forms of propulsion from ammonia to nuclear.

Its latest research foray focuses on the electrification of marine engines and machinery using energy-efficient power semiconductor technology with KSOE signing a memorandum of understanding with Germany’s Infineon Technologies to pursue this avenue.

HD KSOE is already focusing on creating ship technology that uses electricity and hydrogen. The company will now cooperate with Infineon to create power solutions for propulsion drive technology, a core element for ship electrification. Power semiconductors from Infineon could prove to be a factor in guaranteeing precise control of multiple power modules, such as large-capacity propulsion drives, according to a release from the two companies.
Infineon will provide HD KSOE with technical assistance and mentoring in semiconductor power modules and system solutions, as well as share information on new semiconductor trends for marine applications.

“At Infineon we are providing the technologies needed in today’s world of transportation to drive electrification that will shape the future of mobility,” said Dr Peter Wawer, president of green industrial power at Infineon Technologies.