Hanwha Aero and Hanwha Ocean Complete Development of Eco-Friendly Large Ship ESS

"Reduce Fuel Consumption and Emissions"
Both Companies Expand Synergy in Eco-Friendly Ship Business

Hanwha Aerospace, an aircraft engine manufacturer, has secured core technologies for eco-friendly large vessels together with its shipbuilding affiliate Hanwha Ocean. The two companies have agreed to expand exchanges and create synergy in the eco-friendly ship business going forward.

Hanwha Aerospace announced on the 3rd that it has completed the development of MWh-class energy storage systems (ESS) applicable to large vessels such as liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGC) and container ships in collaboration with Hanwha Ocean. This comes about three and a half years after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for joint research on lithium-ion battery-based ship ESS in February 2020.

Applying a hybrid propulsion system that links conventional internal combustion engines with ESS to ships can reduce fuel consumption and significantly cut pollutant emissions. The lithium-ion battery-based ESS incorporates ‘container-type packaging technology’ that minimizes size by integrating the control system into one unit, and ‘automatic fire suppression’ technology that detects and quickly extinguishes ESS fires.

Hanwha Aerospace Ship Energy Storage System (ESS) [Photo by Hanwha Aerospace]

Hanwha Ocean led the MWh-class ESS demonstration tests and enhanced product completeness based on its shipbuilding experience and eco-friendly ship operation expertise. Hanwha Ocean has established state-of-the-art research facilities within its Siheung research and development (R&D) campus, including the world’s largest joint water tank and a Land Based Test Site (LBTS) for eco-friendly fuels, and conducts various demonstration tests utilizing these facilities.

Hanwha Aerospace plans to actively enter the eco-friendly ship market, where demand is expected to surge due to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) greenhouse gas emission regulations. According to MarketandMarkets, a global market research firm, the global ship ESS market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15.5%, from approximately $2.1 billion (about 3 trillion KRW) in 2021 to about $7.6 billion (about 10 trillion KRW) by 2030.

Building on over 40 years of technological expertise as a specialized aircraft engine company, Hanwha Aerospace is pooling its capabilities to leap forward as a leading future mobility technology company. Leveraging its experience and expertise in supplying ESS to government vessels and small to medium-sized private ships, the company aims to target the propulsion system market for new forms of mobility such as eco-friendly ships.

Hanwha Aerospace will also accelerate the establishment of a value chain in the eco-friendly ship sector by creating business synergy with Hanwha Ocean. It plans to proactively secure differentiated core ESS technologies applicable to urban air mobility (UAM), promoted by its subsidiary Hanwha Systems, and expand into future propulsion system businesses.

Moon Seung-hak, head of the Electric Propulsion System Division at Hanwha Aerospace, said, “ESS packaging and safety technologies for global decarbonization are essential not only in the defense sector but also in the aviation and marine industries. We will maximize synergy through cooperation among affiliates.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.