Recently, China Classification Society (CCS) issued its first Test Agency Approval Certificate for marine hydrogen fuel cell testing agency to China Automotive Technology Research Institute Centre (Tianjin) Co., Ltd (CATARC). Mr. Fang Tao - Deputy manager of CCS Tianjin branch, Mr. Gao Jidong – General manager of CATARC and other guests attended the award ceremony.

This is an important step for CCS to pursue “China’s dual carbon goals” by improving the development of  China's new energy and green shipping. CCS completed the inspection ability in testing levels for performance, safety and adaptability of hydrogen fuel cell power systems and hydrogen fuel cell modules. As CATARC is capable of evaluating the performance of large scale hydrogen fuel cell power system and completing the environmental and electromagnetic compatibility testing for fuel cell during fuelling with hydrogen, the environmental adaptability and the reliability of hydrogen fuel power system in real marine operations is better simulated. Therefore, a reliable verification platform is formed for safe applications of the hydrogen fuel cell power system in ships.

In recent years, CCS published a series of technical codes, regulations and guidelines to help industry to improve development of new energy and green shipping.  As hydrogen fuel cell can support ship running in zero-emission mode, application of hydrogen fuel cell is recognized as one of the crucial technologies for development of new and green energy in shipping. CCS established a research team to explore the applications of hydrogen fuel cells in shipping.  A series of supporting technical documents such as the 《Guidelines for Ships applying fuel cell system》 and the inspection guidelines for hydrogen fuel cells, reforming units, and hydrogen cylinders had been published successively.

CATARC began hydrogen fuel cell testing in 2012, dedicate to work on testing, standards making and researching test technique for hydrogen energy and fuel cells. They built the Asia’s largest hydrogen-related class A testing centre, its test capability covers the entire industrial chain of "powertrain – system -electric stack - hydrogen supply system - auxiliary system - material- simulation - hydrogen internal combustion engine".

The success of accreditation of the first hydrogen fuel cells testing agency in China shows the joint efforts between CCS and CATARC in analysing relevant technical standards and improving testing capabilities, this hard work will lead us toward the era of green transport.