Hanwha Ocean - Experts & Thought Leaders

Alfa Laval Korea Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hanwha Ocean Ecotech, marking a significant step toward strengthening cooperation in developing safe and reliable ammonia fuel system solutions for dual-fuel vessels. The partnership reinforces both companies’ commitment to supporting the maritime industry’s transition to low-carbon and alternative fuel technologies. Accelerating adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel The MOU with Hanwha Ocean Ecotech marks a strategic collaboration to leverage Alfa Laval’s deep technical expertise in ammonia fuel systems together with Hanwha Ocean Ecotech’s capabilities in marine technology. The joint approach aims to secure early market opportunities and build competitive advantage in the rapidly-growing field of alternative marine fuels. The partnership includes cooperation on business co-development and project opportunities, with a ambition to deliver a pilot installation to enable future collaboration. Advancing ammonia fuel systems The collaboration is founded on a shared ambition to advance ammonia fuel systems for dual-fuel vessels. Alfa Laval will contribute its proven capabilities in ammonia fuel and mitigation technologies through ammonia fuel supply system and FSS and Ammonia Release Mitigation System (ARMS) and Hanwha will apply its extensive experience in system engineering and integration. This partnership will facilitate the exchange of expertise and improve productivity and safety on board. Strategic partnership “This MOU is more than just technical cooperation – it represents a strategic partnership to secure leadership in Korea and Asia’s sustainable shipbuilding market. By combining our strengths, we aim to accelerate the decarbonization of global shipping with safe and reliable ammonia fuel solutions,” says Young-Gu Choi, Managing Director of Alfa Laval Korea. “Partnering with Alfa Laval is a significant opportunity to deliver safer and more efficient ammonia fuel systems to our customers. Through pilot projects and subsequent commercial projects, we will maximize synergies and bring greater value to the maritime industry,” says Chang-Keun Lee, CEO of Hanwha Ocean Ecotech. Innovation through collaboration The partnership with Hanwha Ocean Ecotech represents a strong commitment to enabling ammonia powered shipping through proven technologies, engineering, and close industry collaboration. The signing took place at Alfa Laval’s booth during Kormarine 2025. Alfa Laval is actively engaged in several other key collaborations focused on ammonia as a marine fuel. A key example is our long-standing research and development partnership with WinGD, which has successfully tested the FCM Ammonia, Ammonia Release Mitigation System (ARMS) and Fuel Valve Trains, laying a solid foundation for its commercial rollout. Another collaboration between South Korea’s shipbuilder K Shipbuilding (KSB), Alfa Laval, WinGD, and the classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), saw Alfa Laval contribute to the design of the entire fuel system, including the ammonia fuel supply system, fuel valves train, and ARMS with Alfa Laval also adding an Aalborg ammonia dual-fuel boiler system to the project scope. These initiatives demonstrate Alfa Laval's broad commitment to accelerating the safe adoption of ammonia with own innovations and industry collaborations.

Maritime industry pioneers explored the opportunities and critical challenges in the revitalisation of U.S. shipbuilding and maritime infrastructure at the ABS North America Regional Committee Meeting. The committee heard from ABS specialists on key regulatory, technology and market factors driving a wave of change for the global industry, making training to upskill seafarers in dynamic fuels, digital systems, and energy efficiency technologies more important than ever. Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, said: “We are entering a brave new world defined by rapid change, where artificial intelligence, digital twins, autonomy, advanced fuels, and digital ecosystems will impact global shipping and shipbuilding. In this new era, change and technology will dominate our conversations, our strategies, and our decisions. ABS is well placed to support shipyards and owners capitalise on the opportunities.”     Immersive training techniques The committee also heard about the advanced, immersive training techniques, such as the cutting-edge MetaSHIPs, that ABS is deploying to help train its surveyors and engineers along with the next generation of seafarers. Effective training is essential to enabling safer operations as evolving regulations and new technologies, especially carbon capture, electrification, and digital technologies, continue to transform the industry. Committee Chair, Captain Christopher Bulera, General Manager of Global Marine for ConocoPhillips and President of Polar Tankers, Inc., applauded ABS, led by Wiernicki, on its commitment to safety. Focus on safety excellence “I appreciate ABS’ steadfast focus on safety excellence and their genuine commitment to collaboration. These meetings offer us all an invaluable opportunity to build meaningful connections with peers, share industry insights, solutions and strategies that keep pace with our rapidly changing maritime landscape,” said Christopher Bulera. Special guests, James Sagar, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Hanwha Ocean Americas, and David Kim, CEO of Hanwha Philly Shipyard, also provided an update on Hanwha’s latest projects and recent investments.

Hanwha Ocean, one of the major shipbuilders in South Korea, has awarded ABB the contract to supply a complete electric power and propulsion system for Singapore’s first floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal. The contract is the latest milestone in the long-standing collaboration between ABB and Hanwha Ocean. ABB’s remote control ABB’s integrated electrical system on board the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) will comprise a medium voltage generator, 6.6 kV switchboards for cargo and regasification, and the motor, transformer and drive for propulsion.  The floating terminal will also feature ABB’s remote control and remote diagnostics system, its proven condition monitoring solution and an enhanced power protection system (EPPS). Gas network in 2030 The FSRU will be moored at Jurong Port and connected to the gas network in 2030 The FSRU will be delivered to owner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) in 2027 and contracted for long-term charter by Singapore LNG Corporation Pte Ltd (Singapore LNG). With a capacity for 200,000 cubic metres of LNG, the FSRU will be moored at Jurong Port and connected to the gas network in 2030, under the management of MOL. Investment in Singapore’s energy infrastructure The new FSRU is a strategic investment in Singapore’s energy infrastructure and a key part of the city state’s energy transition toward net-zero emissions. Singapore LNG has signed contracts to process five million tons of LNG per annum at a floating facility, adding flexibility and increasing Singapore’s LNG importing capacity by 50 percent compared to the current single landside terminal in Jurong. Integrated electrical system for Singapore’s first FSRU “We are proud to continue our long-lasting collaboration with Hanwha Ocean by supplying an integrated electrical system for Singapore’s first FSRU,” said Rune Braastad, Global Business Line Manager, Marine Systems, ABB’s Marine & Ports division. Rune Braastad adds, “This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to innovation, reliability, and sustainability, and is ABB’s latest contribution to the critical infrastructure supporting Singapore’s position as an important LNG hub in Asia.” Two-thirds of global LNG demand in 2024 Wood Mackenzie notes that Asia Pacific accounted for two-thirds of global LNG demand in 2024, and anticipates the high level of activity to continue as stakeholders balance energy security with economic realities.  The strong outlook highlights the significance of the enduring and growing relationship between Hanwha Ocean and ABB – as well as ABB’s continued contribution to infrastructure development in Singapore, where it began operating in 1971.  Hanwha Ocean has delivered 23.4 percent of the global gas fleet and recently became the first shipbuilder to complete its 200th LNG carrier. It is also one of the pioneering builders of FSRUs in the world.