Hanwha Power Systems Receives ABS Approval in Principle for Ammonia Gas Turbine Retrofit Design

Certified by ABS at Gastech 2025
Verified for Application to 174K LNG Carriers
Full-Scale Development of 100% Ammonia Propulsion System

Hanwha Power Systems has received Approval in Principle (AiP) for its ammonia-fueled gas turbine design from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) at the international exhibition Gastech 2025. Ammonia propulsion solutions are regarded as zero-carbon propulsion technology that can accelerate the transition to carbon-neutral shipping.

On September 11, Hanwha Power Systems announced that it had obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) from ABS for its ammonia-fueled gas turbine retrofit design for 174K (174,000-cubic-meter class) liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. This achievement was made possible by completing key engineering design and safety verification in a short period through the Hanwha-ABS joint development project signed on August 13.

Joshua Divin, Vice President of ABS Global Marine Business Development (left), and Hyungseok Kim, Head of Ship Solutions Business Division at Hanwha Power Systems, are taking a commemorative photo together at the Gastech 2025 event in Milan, Italy. Hanwha Power Systems Photo by Hanwha Power Systems

Ammonia, composed only of nitrogen and hydrogen, is an alternative fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide (CO₂) during combustion. Hanwha Power Systems is independently developing a 100% ammonia propulsion system that does not use pilot oil for ignition. As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) sets its "2050 International Shipping Carbon Neutrality" target and introduces specific environmental regulations, ammonia gas turbines are being evaluated as "zero-carbon marine market pioneering technology."

This Approval in Principle was granted after reviewing international safety standards, including process flow diagrams, operation and control philosophy and equipment lists, general arrangement drawings, engine room layouts, and drawings for toxic zones, detection, and fire safety. This officially confirms through international classification societies that the use of ammonia fuel on large vessels meets safety standards and reaffirms its commercial viability.

Building on this achievement, Hanwha Power Systems plans to actively target the global decarbonization market by proposing ammonia fuel conversion retrofit packages applicable not only to LNG carriers but also to various vessel types.

Hyungseok Kim, Head of Ship Solutions Business Division at Hanwha Power Systems, stated, "This Approval in Principle demonstrates the technical and commercial feasibility of the ammonia gas turbine propulsion system. We will expand cooperation with shipowners, shipyards, and classification societies to ensure application to actual vessels and commercial operation."