At Gastech 2025, Hanwha Redefines Shipbuilding with Cradle-to-Retrofit Solutions

As global maritime regulations tighten and alternative fuel pathways emerge, the shipping industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonize. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) aims to cut global shipping emissions by at least 50% by 2050, with even more ambitious targets under review. Achieving these goals will require both the construction of new, future-ready vessels and the modernization of existing fleets — all while minimizing disruption to global trade.

Fleet renewal, however, remains an expensive and time-consuming process. Newbuild lead times can stretch over several years, depending on vessel class and shipyard capacity. Meanwhile, demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) continues to grow, with maritime transport handling over 80% of global trade by volume. Confronted with these challenges, shipowners are increasingly turning to incremental upgrades and mid-life retrofits to extend fleet viability — a need Hanwha is addressing through its integrated cradle-to-retrofit approach, unveiled at Gastech 2025.

Gastech 2025: Showcasing a Sustainable Future

Under the theme “Powering a Sustainable Energy Future,” Gastech 2025 brought together over 50,000 policymakers, executives, and engineers in Milan. The event focused on transformative technologies driving the global energy transition, from carbon capture and hydrogen to AI-powered optimization. Among these conversations, the maritime sector took center stage as a key player in energy security and a driving force in adopting alternative fuels.

At the event, Hanwha unveiled its cradle-to-retrofit strategy — a comprehensive suite of solutions that span vessel design, construction, operations, maintenance, retrofitting, and propulsion technologies. The company’s approach emphasizes compliance, efficiency, and resilience, helping shipowners extend fleet lifespan and adapt to evolving environmental regulations.

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Smarter Ship Design and Construction

Hanwha’s ship design philosophy focuses on embedding flexibility and sustainability from the start. Its modular layouts and integrated emissions management systems allow vessels to adapt easily to future technologies and fuel types. Digitalized shipyards streamline workflows and quality control, reducing construction timelines and enhancing precision.

Each vessel is designed with built-in systems and space for future upgrades, such as dual-fuel engines or carbon capture units, minimizing retrofit costs and downtime later in the lifecycle. The upcoming delivery of Hanwha’s 200th LNG carrier in 2025 reflects its strong capability to produce regulation-ready, fuel-flexible vessels at scale.

Optimizing Operation and Maintenance

As compliance standards tighten and fuel costs rise, operators need efficient systems to sustain performance over decades. Hanwha’s HS4 Smart Ship platform provides real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and route optimization to reduce fuel consumption and emissions while preventing costly downtime.

The company integrates automation, alarm, and control systems — including IAS, AMS, and ICMS — to unify navigation, diagnostics, and emissions data, improving decision-making and compliance management. Through its facilities at Geoje Shipyard and the expanding Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Hanwha also delivers lifecycle-based maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) services, ensuring vessels remain safe and efficient throughout their service life.

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Mid-Life Retrofits for a Cleaner Fleet

With global policy shifts outpacing new shipbuilding, retrofits are becoming essential for fleet modernization. Hanwha offers modular, proven retrofit solutions designed to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions. These include dual-fuel engine conversions for LNG, methanol, or ammonia; energy-saving systems such as rotor sails and air lubrication; and onboard carbon capture systems (OCCS) for high-emission routes.

Additional enhancements like boil-off gas (BOG) re-liquefaction systems, propeller optimization, and hull improvements further boost performance without major structural changes — ensuring older vessels can remain compliant and commercially viable.

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Investing in the Future of Propulsion

Looking ahead, Hanwha is developing next-generation propulsion and energy systems to meet long-term net-zero targets. At Gastech 2025, the company received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its ammonia-fueled gas turbines, enabling zero-emission propulsion without pilot fuels.

Hanwha also signed a research agreement with ABS to advance U.S. maritime cybersecurity standards. Its SecuAider platform enhances digital safety for connected fleets, while immersion-cooled energy storage systems (ESS) — certified by DNV and the Korean Register — provide compact, safe power for hybrid and electric vessels. Hydrogen fuel cells, for which Hanwha also holds AiP from DNV, expand clean power options for the maritime sector.

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A Total Marine Lifecycle Partner

Together, these technologies form a complete roadmap for sustainable fleet management. Hanwha’s layered approach — from smart vessel design and digital operations to retrofits and next-gen propulsion — gives shipowners a clear path toward compliance, efficiency, and long-term resilience.

By uniting expertise in shipbuilding, propulsion, energy systems, and digital innovation, Hanwha positions itself as a total marine lifecycle partner, providing the maritime industry with practical, future-ready solutions that support the global transition to cleaner seas.