Hanwha, RINA Sign MOU to Develop Battery-Hybrid Ship Propulsion
Three Hanwha Group affiliates – Hanwha Power Systems, Hanwha Aerospace, and Hanwha Engine – announced they signed a memorandum of understanding with RINA Asia BV Korea Branch on the joint development of a battery-hybrid propulsion system for ships. The agreement was signed on the 11th of the month and disclosed by Hanwha on the 13th.
The collaboration targets maritime decarbonization by shifting from conventional internal-combustion propulsion to a battery-h hybrid setup. The plan covers both new ships and environmentally friendly retrofits for existing vessels, aiming to deliver a total solution that leverages Hanwha’s hardware, battery, and engine capabilities alongside RINA’s certification expertise.
Under the MOU, Hanwha Power Systems would serve as the project control tower, coordinating ship design and system interface integration. Hanwha Aerospace would apply its marine energy storage systems to the project, drawing on its aerospace energy tech to enhance safety and reliability. Hanwha Engine would optimize engine and power-system interactions to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize emissions.
RINA Asia BV Korea Branch would review evolving international maritime regulations and certification requirements, analyze global ferry industry trends, and provide technical guidelines to help the system become aligned with international standards. RINA’s role is to support credible, scalable certification pathways for the hybrid propulsion concept.
Kim Hyung-seok, head of the Ship Solutions Division at Hanwha Power Systems, described the collaboration as a way to consolidate energy equipment, battery, and engine expertise across Hanwha affiliates to maximize synergies. He said the partnership with RINA would help secure reliable technology and expand influence in the global eco-friendly ship market.
This move comes as the maritime sector worldwide looks to decarbonize, with regulators and shipowners seeking practical pathways to electrified and hybrid propulsion for both new builds and retrofits. RINA’s involvement signals an emphasis on formal certification and standards to facilitate international adoption of battery-hybrid systems.
For U.S. readers, the development matters because shipping constitutes a major portion of international trade, including U.S. imports and exports. Advances in marine battery and hybrid propulsion could shape global supply chains, affect shipbuilding and equipment markets, and influence regulatory and safety standards that cross borders, potentially impacting the availability and cost of green propulsion technologies for vessels calling at U.S. ports.