South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean Co., a leading global shipbuilder, has taken a major step to expand its presence in international naval markets, particularly in Europe.
By signing a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with British classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR), Hanwha aims to enhance its ship design certification processes and align with NATO-aligned technical requirements, opening doors to new defense contracts abroad.
Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Certification Standards
The collaboration, announced during MADEX 2025 in Busan, focuses on aligning Hanwha’s naval ship designs with international and NATO-standard certifications. LR, one of the world’s top three classification societies, plays a key role in ensuring that naval vessels meet the stringent technical, safety, and compliance requirements needed by European and other global navies. Hanwha Ocean plans to apply LR’s standards from the initial design phase, reinforcing its technical credibility in the competitive defense sector.
Expanded Scope: From Design Review to Joint Marketing
The partnership goes beyond technical compliance. Hanwha Ocean and LR will collaborate on design reviews, quality control, regulatory interpretation, and even joint technical marketing. This includes coordinated efforts to pitch naval solutions to foreign governments and military clients, positioning Hanwha as a reliable and standards-compliant shipbuilder for sophisticated naval fleets.
A Key Move Toward European Naval Market Penetration
With Europe being a strategic growth region for naval defense contracts, this partnership is aimed squarely at accelerating Hanwha’s entry into overseas markets. Certification by LR, which incorporates NATO-aligned technical protocols, provides a competitive edge in securing European naval bids. Hanwha Ocean’s statement reflects its ambition to use this collaboration as a launchpad for broader global naval engagement.
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Source: YONHAP NEWS AGENCY
