Advancing maritime decarbonization through technology, infrastructure, and partnership

Dong Kwan (DK) Kim

Vice Chairman, Hanwha Group

For decades, global shipping has relied on fossil fuels for propulsion. As trade volumes have risen and fleets have expanded, these emissions-intensive fuels have made shipping an increasingly carbon-heavy sector. With long voyage distances, vessels that remain in service for decades, and multiple potential pathways to decarbonization, cutting emissions at scale is a complex challenge.

Policy frameworks are now responding, led by the International Maritime Organization’s goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by or around 2050. Regulatory pressure is also increasing. In the United States, California’s At Berth Regulation requires vessels calling at its ports to control emissions using shore power or approved alternatives, while in Washington, the Port of Seattle became the first in the nation to require that homeported cruise vessels be shore power capable and utilize shore power.

These measures are compressing transition timelines, raising compliance costs, and forcing rapid market adaptation. Electric ships are moving from pilot projects to becoming a core element of maritime modernization, with the market projected to grow from $4.85 billion in 2025 to $18.39 billion by 2032. Growth is expected to accelerate further as regulatory mandates expand.

Yet the transition is complex. Building new fleets takes time, and vessels must still meet the demands of long-distance and heavy-duty shipping. While interim measures help manage near- to midterm requirements, achieving maritime decarbonization will ultimately require early, sustained investment in deeper technological and infrastructural change. As global decarbonization policies take effect, owners and operators who have not adequately prepared risk higher costs, widening technology gaps, and reduced long-term industrial competitiveness.

Developing and scaling next-generation technologies that reduce carbon emissions will be essential to meeting maritime decarbonization targets. This will require a fundamental shift in how vessels are powered, combining advanced propulsion systems for newbuilds with pathways to transition the existing fleet. 

Clean propulsion

Full decarbonization will require a shift away from fossil-fuel propulsion toward alternative fuels capable of significantly reducing carbon emissions during operation. For deep-sea shipping, this means propulsion systems that can deliver zero- or low-emission performance at scale without compromising range or output.

Hanwha is developing an ammonia-fueled gas turbine designed to generate power without emitting carbon dioxide at the point of use. Built to support long-range, high-output operations, the system is intended to address one of the central challenges of maritime decarbonization: delivering low-emission propulsion at the scale required for ocean-going vessels.

In parallel, Hanwha Engine’s acquisition of Norway-based SEAM expands Hanwha’s portfolio to include electric propulsion and power automation systems. The move strengthens Hanwha’s clean-propulsion capabilities and enhances its ability to deliver integrated, retrofittable low- and zero-emission solutions across a wide range of vessels. 

Energy storage systems

Electrification will play a critical role in reducing emissions across the maritime sector, particularly for vessels already in operation. Energy storage systems (ESS) enable hybrid operations by supplementing conventional propulsion, reducing fuel consumption, and lowering emissions without requiring full vessel replacement. As battery technology continues to advance, ESS are becoming increasingly viable for a wider range of maritime applications, including longer-distance routes.

Deploying large-scale batteries at sea, however, introduces significant safety challenges. Overheating and thermal runaway present heightened risks in maritime environments, where emergency response options are limited. Hanwha is addressing these challenges with the world’s first immersion-cooling ESS, which uses advanced thermal fluid technology to isolate battery cells and enhance thermal safety. The system has been certified by major global institutions, including DNV and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

Scaling electric and hybrid vessels will require parallel investment in port infrastructure, including shore-side electricity and, in many cases, grid upgrades. In most cases, existing port infrastructure was designed around fossil-fuel-based operations, and available electrical capacity and connections can limit large-scale electrification. 

One of the main barriers to electric shipping is the limited availability of port-side charging infrastructure and access to clean energy. Early electric vehicle (EV) adoption offers a useful comparison. Where charging networks were dependable and widely available, EV uptake accelerated. A comparable dynamic is now beginning to emerge in maritime electrification. 

To address these constraints, Hanwha is in discussions with European port authorities to explore scalable energy storage solutions and modernized shore-side charging infrastructure that can be integrated into today’s ports. Alongside these advancements, the company is pursuing renewable energy-based power sources to support the full energy supply chain for electric propulsion vessels.

Together, these solutions form an integrated electrification ecosystem combining advanced energy storage systems, alternative propulsion technologies, and port infrastructure equipped to enable reliable, flexible power from berth to open sea. 

As maritime decarbonization technologies move from pilot projects toward commercial deployment, early action matters. These projects play a critical role in validating safety, performance, and economic viability, helping to shape technical standards in a rapidly tightening regulatory environment. 

Scaling decarbonization technologies will require more than private-sector investment alone. Public-private collaboration will be essential to reducing deployment risks and accelerating adoption. Governments can provide policy support and incentives, while industry contributes technological innovation, operational expertise, and execution capabilities. 

Compliance requirements, market forces, and climate realities are converging to accelerate the push toward full decarbonization. Meeting that challenge will require coordinated, system-level change across the maritime value chain. The task ahead is converting today’s momentum into durable, measurable progress at scale.

This content was produced in partnership with Forbes BrandVoice.