Hanwha Ocean is making significant strides in the development of decarbonized ships, having secured multiple eco-friendly ship technology certifications from major international classification societies. The company showcased its advancements at “Gastech 2024” held in Houston, USA, where it received approvals from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Norwegian classification society DNV, Liberian Registry, and French classification society BV.
Last year, Hanwha Ocean signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ABS to develop ammonia propulsion ships, focusing on identifying potential risks in advance to ensure crew safety through optimal design. This collaboration has borne fruit, as Hanwha Ocean recently completed the safety evaluation of ammonia diffusion through Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) with ABS. The evaluation involved a quantitative analysis of toxicity and explosiveness by assuming various scenarios of fuel leakage in ammonia gas turbine propulsion ships. The resulting figures met the requirements of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), established earlier this year, proving the safety of the technology.
Ammonia is gaining attention as an eco-friendly ship fuel because it does not emit carbon dioxide when burned. However, its toxicity and potential explosiveness necessitate rigorous safety assessments. Hanwha Ocean’s successful completion of the QRA with ABS marks a significant milestone in the safe implementation of ammonia as a marine fuel.
In addition to its work on ammonia propulsion, Hanwha Ocean has been independently developing Rotor Sail technology since 2019. The company began constructing a Rotor Sail Demonstration Center in April, which is expected to be completed by 2026. Upon opening, it will become the world’s first Rotor Sail Demonstration Center, allowing for the assembly of Rotor Sails on land and the simultaneous conduct of major experiments.
Hanwha Ocean’s Rotor Sail with Composite Materials recently received the Type Approval Design Certification (TADC) from DNV, the first of its kind in South Korea. Type approval is a critical stage where detailed design reviews are conducted before real-world application, and DNV’s certification confirms that Hanwha Ocean’s Rotor Sail is ready for practical use.
Furthermore, Hanwha Ocean conducted joint research with the Liberian Registry and BV to obtain Approval in Principle (AIP) for a solution to eliminate blind sectors caused by Rotor Sail installations obstructing navigation lights. This collaborative effort underscores the company’s commitment to addressing practical challenges in the implementation of new technologies.
A Hanwha Ocean representative expressed the company’s enthusiasm, stating, “Receiving consecutive recognitions for eco-friendly ship technology from leading classification societies at Gastech has given significant momentum to Hanwha Ocean’s decarbonization vision.” The representative added, “We will make every effort to ensure shipowners can confidently choose Hanwha Ocean’s products.”
The global push towards decarbonization, particularly in the maritime industry, is driving innovations like those developed by Hanwha Ocean. International regulations and agreements, such as the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) strategy to reduce carbon intensity by 40% by 2030 and halve total annual GHG emissions by 2050 compared to 2008 levels, are setting ambitious targets for the industry. Classification societies like ABS, DNV, Liberian Registry, and BV play a crucial role in setting technical standards and ensuring compliance with these regulations.
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