- Hanwha is working to advance carbon-free shipping by developing ammonia-powered turbines in collaboration with Baker Hughes, driving innovation in maritime energy solutions.
- The ammonia gas turbine to be developed through this collaboration will be based on Baker Hughes’ existing world-class turbine technology and a newly developed ammonia combustion system.
Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Power Systems have signed a Joint Development and Collaboration Agreement with Baker Hughes, a global energy technology company, to design and produce eco-friendly ammonia gas turbines with the goal of achieving the world’s first completely carbon-free ship operation.
The agreement was announced at the Baker Hughes Annual Meeting 2025 held in Florence, Italy, on February 3.
“This collaborative development of an eco-friendly ammonia gas turbine will be a significant turning point in the global shipbuilding and shipping industry, accelerating the transition to low-carbon fuel propulsion for ships,” said Young-chang Shon, CTO of Hanwha Ocean’s Product Strategy Technology Institute.
Ammonia gas turbine agreement
The ammonia gas turbine to be developed through this collaboration will be based on Baker Hughes’ existing world-class turbine technology and a newly developed ammonia combustion system created by PSM, a U.S.-based Hanwha subsidiary. The gas turbine will be capable of 100% ammonia combustion and dual fuel operation with natural gas and ammonia blend. It is expected to be a game-changing technology for large shipowners, ultimately enabling a completely carbon-free mode of propulsion.
“The transition to low-carbon fuels in shipping is a defining imperative of our time, and Hanwha Power Systems will continue driving the development of innovative technologies that support the entire life cycle of eco-friendly ships,” said Hyoung-seog Kim, executive vice president and head of Hanwha Power Systems’ Marine Solutions Business Department.
Hanwha declared its vision for “The First Fossil-Free Ship on the Water” at the Davos Forum in Switzerland in January 2024. Building on this vision, the company plans to complete the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and container ships using the ammonia gas turbine propulsion system by 2028.
In September 2023, Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Power Systems obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for the NH3 Gas Turbine and its application on LNG carriers. Following this achievement, PSM successfully completed the first ammonia combustion test campaign in 2024, while Baker Hughes completed its turbine feasibility studies.
Further advancing the adoption of ammonia-powered propulsion, Hanwha Power Systems signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Gastech 2024 in Houston, U.S., with a major European LNG carrier shipping company. The agreement explores converting its propulsion system to an ammonia gas turbine-based system.
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Source: Hanwha
