In a significant step toward decarbonizing global shipping, four affiliates of South Korea’s Hanwha Group have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with HMM and the Korean Register (KR) to jointly develop next-generation carbon-free propulsion systems. The agreement, signed during the KORMARINE 2025 exhibition in Busan, underscores South Korea’s growing commitment to maritime innovation and sustainability.
Pioneering Low-Carbon Propulsion Technologies
Under the agreement, Hanwha Power Systems, Hanwha Ocean, Hanwha Aerospace, and Hanwha Systems will collaborate with HMM and KR to develop propulsion systems powered by fuel cells and ammonia gas turbines for 7,000–8,000-ton vessels. The consortium also plans to create a hybrid propulsion system combining fuel cells and batteries for smaller 2,000-ton feeder ships.
These initiatives aim to enhance fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and accelerate the maritime sector’s transition toward carbon neutrality.
Division of Expertise Among Partners
Each participant brings distinct expertise to the collaboration:
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Hanwha Group affiliates will spearhead the design and technological development of the propulsion systems.
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HMM will provide real-world performance validation using its commercial navigation data.
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Korean Register (KR) will ensure that all developed technologies comply with international safety, regulatory, and licensing standards.
Together, the partners aim to establish a new benchmark for eco-friendly vessel design and operation.
Strengthening Korea’s Maritime Leadership
Hanwha Power Systems noted that the partnership will elevate Korea’s maritime technology ecosystem by merging Hanwha’s innovation, HMM’s operational experience, and KR’s certification capabilities. The company’s ammonia gas turbine technology has already received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping for use in upgrading 174,000-ton LNG carriers.
Kim Hyoung-seok, Head of the Maritime Solutions Business Division at Hanwha Power Systems, said the fuel cell–ammonia gas hybrid system will “become a new standard for decarbonizing maritime shipping.”
HMM’s Head of Maritime Office, Kim Min-kang, emphasized that the collaboration will “accelerate the transition to a future eco-friendly fleet.”
KR Senior Vice President Yeon Kyu-jin added that the project exemplifies a “tripartite partnership that ensures innovation from research to regulatory compliance.”
The Hanwha–HMM–KR alliance marks a major milestone in South Korea’s pursuit of sustainable maritime solutions. By integrating advanced clean propulsion technologies with proven operational and regulatory expertise, the partnership aims to pave the way for a new generation of carbon-neutral vessels strengthening both Korea’s shipbuilding competitiveness and the global shipping industry’s green transition.
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Source: The Korea Times
