At Gastech 2025, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) achieved a major milestone in maritime innovation.
The two companies received Approval in Principle (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for their concept design of a 16,000 TEU container ship powered by an electric propulsion system. This development marks a crucial step toward creating large, eco-friendly vessels in line with the shipping industry’s sustainability goals.
ABS Approval: A Milestone in Maritime Electrification
The AIP was granted after ABS conducted detailed design reviews, focusing on key power system elements such as power generation, power conversion, and propulsion motors. This certification ensures that the proposed design aligns with class requirements and safety standards.
Joshua Divin, Senior Vice President of Marine Business Development at ABS, emphasized the shared commitment between ABS, KSOE, and HHI in advancing electric propulsion technologies for the maritime industry. He noted that this collaboration paves the way for the safe integration of such innovations into large-scale vessels.
Strategic Path Toward IMO 2050 Targets
The project is not just a technological breakthrough but also a strategic move to support the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2050 carbon-neutral target.
Byoung-Hun Kwon, head of HD KSOE Electrification Center, highlighted that this achievement demonstrates their dedication to building eco-friendly and high-efficiency ships. Looking ahead, HD Hyundai aims to launch the project’s second phase in 2026, incorporating energy storage systems and high-efficiency propulsion drives to speed up the transition toward zero-carbon vessels.
The Approval in Principle awarded to HD KSOE and HHI represents a pioneering step in maritime sustainability, combining advanced shipbuilding expertise with cutting-edge electric propulsion technology. With ABS’s backing, the project signals a shift toward greener shipping solutions that could redefine the future of large container vessels. As the companies move into the next phase, the maritime industry comes closer to achieving a carbon-neutral future.
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Source: ABS
