Hanwha Ocean and POSCO Join Forces to Co-Develop Next-Generation Special Steel for Naval Vessels

Published 01 Oct.2025 16:46(KST)

Joint Development of Gigapascal-Grade Special Steel for Future Naval Vessels
Significant Improvements Expected in Mobility and Protection
Hanwha Ocean: "With POSCO, We Will Begin Full-Scale Preparations to Enter the Global Advanced Naval Vessel Market"
POSCO: "We Will Take the Lead in Strengthening the Competitiveness of K-Maritime Defense through Close Collaboration"

Hanwha Ocean and POSCO have joined forces to develop "next-generation gigapascal ultra-high strength steel for naval vessels."

On October 1, Hanwha Ocean (CEO Kim Heecheol) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with POSCO, the nation’s largest steelmaker, at its Seoul office in Jung-gu, Seoul, for the joint development of gigapascal-grade special steel to be used in next-generation naval vessels.

On the 1st, Kim Ilhong, Executive Director in charge of Special Ship Design at Hanwha Ocean (third from the left in the front row), Song Yeongyun, Director of the Steel Solution Research Institute at POSCO (fourth), and related personnel pledged success after signing a business agreement for the "Joint Development of Next-Generation Gigabit Ultra-High-Strength Steel Integrated Solutions for Naval Vessels." Provided by Hanwha Ocean

Based on this MOU, the two companies pledged to collaborate in a total of six areas, including the development of steel materials and application technologies, welding materials, welding technologies, and hull application technologies utilizing these advancements.

The next-generation gigapascal-grade steel for naval vessels is a rolled steel plate with unique advantages, enabling both structural safety and enhanced protection and weld joint safety for maritime weapon systems such as combat ships and unmanned surface vessels.

The goal is to complete research and development of this gigapascal-grade steel within the next two to three years. This steel will significantly reduce the weight of naval vessels and greatly improve ballistic protection, thereby enhancing the safety of the vessels and survivability of crew members.

In particular, since surface vessels have their hulls exposed above the waterline, it is essential to reduce the weight of superstructures and secure ballistic protection for critical areas to ensure vessel safety. According to industry sources, gigapascal-grade steel is known to have approximately four times the strength of conventional steel.

At the MOU signing ceremony, Kim Ilhong, Executive Director in charge of Special Ship Design at Hanwha Ocean, stated, "Through this collaboration, Hanwha Ocean has begun full-scale preparations with POSCO to enter the global advanced naval vessel market. Through continued cooperation between our two companies, we aim to become a 'Naval Total Solution Provider' that delivers the world’s best naval vessels."

Song Yeongyun, Director of the Steel Solutions Research Institute at POSCO, also emphasized, "Through this MOU, our two companies will work closely to accelerate the development of gigapascal-grade steel for next-generation naval vessels. We will take the lead in enhancing the global competitiveness of Korea’s maritime defense industry and shaping the future of the nation’s defense sector."