Hanwha Group Announces Entry into Global Marine Eco-Friendly Race with 'Zero-Carbon Fuel Transition Plan'

Three Major Marine and Energy Companies Participate in Houston 'Gastech'

Unveiling Ammonia Gas Turbines and Propulsion Ships

Hanwha Group has unveiled a completely carbon-free vessel, taking a leading role in the journey toward maritime decarbonization and fuel transition.

By doing so, Hanwha is positioning itself as a frontrunner in the global race to create an eco-friendly marine world.

Hanwha Ocean, Hanwha Engine, and Hanwha Power Systems?Hanwha Group's core companies in the marine and energy sectors?are jointly participating in ‘Gastech 2024’ to showcase a vessel and propulsion system that emit zero carbon, along with a variety of intermediate eco-friendly solutions to achieve this goal.

Gastech is the world’s most prestigious exhibition for gas and energy, and this year it will be held in Houston, USA, from September 17 to 20.

Hanwha Group booth participating in 'Gastech 2024'.

At this exhibition, Hanwha Ocean will unveil a model of an LNG carrier powered by an ammonia gas turbine. The ammonia gas turbine to be installed on this vessel is being developed by Hanwha Power Systems as a world first. This gas turbine does not use pilot oil for engine ignition, thus achieving complete carbon-free operation.

This propulsion system and vessel were proposed as a ‘carbon-free propulsion gas carrier’ by Vice Chairman Kim Dongkwan at the Davos Forum this January, and Hanwha Group plans to complete its development by 2028.

Before the transition to fully carbon-free vessels, Hanwha will also introduce retrofit solutions, which are eco-friendly options customers can choose. This involves converting existing fossil fuel-powered vessels into ammonia-powered, carbon-free, eco-friendly ships.

Additionally, Hanwha Ocean will exhibit next-generation eco-friendly vessels such as a liquefied hydrogen carrier (80,000 CBM class LH2 Carrier), an ammonia-powered ammonia carrier (93,000 CBM class NH3 Carrier), a liquefied carbon dioxide carrier (40,000 CBM class LCO2 Carrier), and the world’s first floating LNG production facility (LNG-FPSO) constructed by Hanwha Ocean. These vessels and offshore plants, which encompass Hanwha Ocean’s latest eco-friendly technologies, are attracting significant interest from shipowners as they comply with International Maritime Organization (IMO) environmental regulations.

The liquefied hydrogen carrier is being unveiled for the first time as part of Hanwha Ocean’s new ship development plan. Since 2022, Hanwha Ocean has been collaborating with CB&I in the United States to develop this carrier.

Perspective view of the liquefied carbon dioxide carrier developed by Hanwha Ocean.

At this exhibition, Hanwha Ocean also expects to collaborate with and obtain certifications from leading global classification societies for its liquefied hydrogen carrier, rotor sail, and the latest ammonia-related technologies.

Hanwha Power Systems, a global energy equipment company, will introduce its newly launched Ship Solution Division’s eco-friendly vessel retrofit business and FSRU conversion business at the exhibition. The company will also promote business synergies with Hanwha Ocean, such as ammonia gas turbine-based vessel propulsion systems and LNG reliquefaction systems. Furthermore, Hanwha Power Systems plans to showcase its eco-friendly power generation and carbon reduction technologies through its supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power generation system and high-pressure carbon dioxide (CO2) compressors.

Hanwha Engine, which joined Hanwha Group earlier this year, specializes in manufacturing low-speed engines for large vessel propulsion. At Gastech, the company will promote its lineup of eco-friendly dual-fuel engines, equipment, and long-term maintenance contracts (LTSA: Long Term Service Agreement) for stable vessel operation throughout their lifecycle.

Hanwha Engine will present leading solutions for carbon reduction in the vessel engine market, such as the commercialization of ammonia-fueled propulsion engines and entering the eco-friendly retrofit business for existing vessels. The company aims to solidify its position as an eco-friendly ‘Solution Provider’ through collaboration with other Hanwha Group affiliates.

A Hanwha Ocean representative stated, “Through close cooperation among Hanwha’s three marine and energy affiliates, we will firmly establish a carbon-free vessel value chain and develop world-class carbon-free ships to secure overwhelming leadership in the shipbuilding and marine market.”

Perspective view of the ammonia gas turbine-powered LNG carrier developed by Hanwha Ocean.