Hanwha Group’s four subsidiaries have entered into a partnership with South Korea’s largest shipping firm, HMM, and the Korean Register (KR) to advance carbon neutrality in global maritime transport. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed in Busan during the KORMARINE 2025 exhibition. This collaboration aims to develop innovative propulsion systems utilizing fuel cells and ammonia gas turbines for mid-sized vessels, as well as hybrid systems combining fuel cells and batteries for smaller feeder ships.
The three organizations will leverage their respective expertise to achieve their shared objectives. Hanwha, through its subsidiaries—including Hanwha Power Systems, Hanwha Ocean, Hanwha Aerospace, and Hanwha Systems—will spearhead the technological development of carbon-free propulsion systems. Meanwhile, HMM will assess the performance of these systems using its commercial navigation data, and KR will ensure compliance with regulatory standards and safety requirements.
Hanwha believes that this collaboration will significantly enhance South Korea’s maritime shipping industry, integrating advanced technology with navigation expertise and regulatory oversight. The initiative recently gained recognition when the American Bureau of Shipping approved an upgrade for large LNG tankers using ammonia gas turbines. Industry leaders from the involved organizations expressed optimism that this partnership will set new standards for decarbonizing maritime shipping and accelerate the transition to an eco-friendly fleet.
