Intelligent Electric Propulsion Ship, 'Ulsan Taehwaho Naming Ceremony' Held ... Information and Communication Technology Converged Intelligent Electric Propulsion Ship

Application of Cutting-Edge Technologies Such as Energy Storage and Integrated Control Systems

Laying the Foundation for Leading Eco-Friendly Shipbuilding Equipment Companies

The construction of the Ulsan Taehwaho, an "Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Convergence Electric Propulsion Intelligent Ship," has been completed and will enter sea trials by the end of December.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] The construction of the ‘Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Convergence Electric Propulsion Intelligent (Smart) Ship,’ which will create a new growth engine for Ulsan’s main industry, the shipbuilding and marine industry, has been completed and is entering full-scale operation.

On the 29th at 10 a.m., Ulsan City will hold the ‘Ulsan Taehwaho Naming Ceremony’ for the ‘ICT Convergence Electric Propulsion Intelligent (Smart) Ship’ at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard’s Pier 5 in Ulsan.

The event will be attended by about 100 people, including Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom, City Council Chairman Kim Ki-hwan, and officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and will proceed with the naming ceremony, a safety navigation prayer ritual, and a ship tour.

The ‘Ulsan Taehwaho’ was constructed with a total project cost of 44.8 billion KRW (23.3 billion KRW from the national government). Hyundai Mipo Dockyard began design in July 2020 and started construction in October 2021. The ship has a hull length of 89.1 meters, a width of 12.8 meters, a displacement of 2,700 tons, a capacity of 300 people, and a total of 4 decks.

It is an advanced ship equipped with low-carbon and high-efficiency technologies, including the country’s first DC Grid-based dual-fuel engine system capable of selecting LNG or marine diesel oil, an energy storage system, engine variable speed control, and an optimal energy control system.

In particular, it is equipped with various navigation safety support systems such as a collision avoidance system, berthing and anchoring support system, and optimal route support system to ensure safe navigation from various risks during operation, as well as a system that allows real-time ship monitoring based on data even onshore.

The city expects that the construction of the ‘Ulsan Taehwaho’ will lay the foundation for the localization of electric propulsion systems and foster leading eco-friendly equipment companies by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in equipment demonstration and market development.

This ship is also expected to revitalize marine tourism linked to nearby areas, focusing on local marine attractions such as Ganjeolgot, Daewangam, and Jangsaengpo, to stimulate the regional economy.

Ulsan City plans to begin sea trials from today until the end of December and operate the ship from next year for purposes such as equipment demonstration testing, education for university students and workers, and coastal tourism in Ulsan.

Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom said, “This ship has great significance in the successful localization of eco-friendly, high-performance ships, a new future food source for the shipbuilding and marine industry, achieved through cooperation with the government. We plan to continue to play a leading role to ensure that Ulsan’s shipbuilding and marine industry secures international competitive advantage.”

At the event, Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom’s wife, Yang Soon-yi, will participate in naming the ship ‘Ulsan Taehwaho’ and conduct the highlights of the naming ceremony, including the ‘rope cutting ceremony’ and the ‘champagne breaking’ ritual to pray for safe navigation by breaking a champagne bottle.