Hanwha Signs Joint Development Agreement with Global Gas Turbine Manufacturer Baker Hughes for Low-Carbon Ammonia Gas Turbine
Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Power Systems Collaborate with a Global Energy Technology Company
Leading Decarbonization in the Shipbuilding Industry Through Development of Ammonia Gas Turbine Technology
Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Power Systems are joining forces with global energy technology company Baker Hughes to develop the world's first zero-carbon ship propulsion system.
On the 3rd, the two companies announced that they signed a joint development agreement with Baker Hughes for an ammonia gas turbine at the ‘Baker Hughes Annual Meeting 2025’ held in Florence, Italy.
The jointly developed ammonia gas turbine will be designed to enable 100% ammonia combustion and allow flexible mixing of ammonia and natural gas as needed.
In particular, the engine can ignite using only ammonia fuel without pilot oil, achieving complete zero carbon emissions. This technology is attracting attention as a groundbreaking game changer to solve the carbon emission issues in the shipping industry.
Pilot oil refers to fossil fuel used to ensure stable combustion in gas turbines.
Hanwha Group announced its vision for the world's first fossil-free ship solution at the Davos Forum held in Switzerland in January last year. Hanwha Group plans to complete the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and container ships equipped with ammonia gas turbine propulsion systems by 2028.
Notably, Hanwha Ocean demonstrated technological reliability by obtaining Approval in Principle (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) in September 2023 for the design of an LNG carrier based on an ammonia gas turbine. At ‘Gastech 2024’ held in September 2024, they unveiled ‘Ocean 1,’ a next-generation zero-carbon propulsion LNG carrier equipped with various eco-friendly and digital solutions.
Hanwha Power Systems, together with its U.S. subsidiary PSM, is developing an ammonia full combustion combustor to be applied to ammonia gas turbines and also obtained concept approval from ABS in September 2023. Last year, they successfully completed ammonia full combustion tests. Additionally, at ‘Gastech 2024,’ where they participated alongside Hanwha Ocean, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a major European LNG carrier company for retrofitting LNGC propulsion systems using ammonia gas turbines, strengthening their position as a global provider of eco-friendly solutions.
Through this joint development agreement, Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Power Systems plan to expand technological cooperation under the goal of developing the world’s first fully zero-carbon ship, providing innovative solutions leading the fossil-free era.
Son Young-chang, Vice President and Head of Product Strategy Technology Center at Hanwha Ocean, said, “This collaborative development of eco-friendly ammonia gas turbines will be a significant turning point accelerating the transition to eco-friendly fuel propulsion in the global shipbuilding and shipping industries.”
Kim Hyung-seok, Executive Director and Head of Ship Solutions Business Unit at Hanwha Power Systems, said, “The paradigm shift to eco-friendly fuel for ships is a mission of our time, and Hanwha Power Systems will continue to lead the development of innovative technologies throughout the lifecycle of eco-friendly ships.”
Alessandro Bresciani, Senior Vice President of Climate Technology Solutions at Baker Hughes, said, “Carbon reduction in hard-to-decarbonize industries and transportation sectors is one of the most urgent and high-potential opportunities today. Ammonia is expected to play a key role in significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions in these areas.”
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Baker Hughes, founded in 1907, is a global energy technology company operating in more than 120 countries worldwide. It holds outstanding competitiveness in small and medium-sized gas turbine technology.
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