Hanwha Power Systems and Hanwha Ocean have embarked on a partnership with Baker Hughes to develop ammonia gas turbines for ships.
This collaboration, announced during the Baker Hughes Annual Meeting 2025 in Florence, Italy, aims to produce low-carbon propulsion systems by 2028.
Hanwha Group had previously announced its vision for a fossil fuel-free ship at the Davos Forum in January 2024, setting a target year of 2028 for the completion of the project.
The proposed ammonia gas turbine will leverage Baker Hughes' small-size turbine technology and a “newly developed” ammonia combustion system by Power Systems Manufacturing (PSM), a Hanwha subsidiary in the US.
Designed for “100% ammonia combustion" and dual fuel capabilities, this technology is expected to advance large ship propulsion, offering a viable path to zero carbon emissions.
Hanwha Power Systems' marine solutions business department head and executive director Kim Hyeong-seok said: “The paradigm of switching to lower carbon fuel for ships is the calling of the times, and Hanwha Power Systems will continue to lead the development of innovative technologies for the entire life cycle of eco-friendly ships.”
Hanwha Power Systems and Hanwha Ocean received approval in principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping in September 2023 to apply these turbines to liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.
PSM has successfully conducted a high-pressure ammonia combustion test while Baker Hughes finalised its initial turbine feasibility studies last year.
Furthermore, Hanwha Power Systems signed an MoU with a European LNG carrier shipping company at Gastech 2024 in Houston to convert its fleet to ammonia gas turbine systems.
Hanwha Ocean's Product Strategy Technology Institute head and vice president Son Young-chang said: “This collaborative development of a low-carbon ammonia gas turbine will be a significant turning point in the global shipbuilding and shipping industry, accelerating the transition to eco-friendly fuel propulsion for ships.”
In October 2024, The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation partnered with Hanwha Ocean in a five-year deal to promote maritime decarbonisation, targeting alternative fuels, energy-saving technologies, and carbon capture solutions.
