Hanwha Power has secured Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a 22,000-cubic-meter LNG bunkering vessel concept at Gastech 2026. The milestone design features LNG-ammonia multi-cargo capabilities utilizing high-manganese steel containment and a hybrid electric propulsion system to reduce near-shore emissions. Unveiled alongside group affiliates Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Engine, the project finalizes Hanwha’s mid-to-large bunkering vessel portfolio while strengthening its integrated engineering and procurement package.
Bangkok, Thailand | September 16, 2026 – Hanwha Power has announced that it has obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for the concept design of a 22,000-cubic-meter (cbm) LNG bunkering vessel.
Unveiled at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, the world’s largest gas and energy exhibition, the milestone successfully rounds out the company’s mid-to-large bunkering vessel portfolio, positioning Hanwha at the forefront of the maritime industry’s multi-fuel transition.
Completing the Scale Portfolio
The official certificate presentation ceremony took place on September 15 local time. Key figures in attendance included Hoon-min Kim, Head of Hanwha Power’s Marine Solution Business Division, and Vice President Jong-kyu Hwang, who oversees Technical Solutions, alongside representatives from ABS.
With the addition of this latest 22,000-cbm design, Hanwha Power has finalized its tiered commercial lineup for liquefied natural gas bunkering assets, which now spans seamlessly from 7,500-cbm compact coastal units up to 22,000-cbm large-scale vessels.
Key Technical Specifications & Multi-Cargo Flexibility
As maritime environmental regulations tighten, shipowners face growing pressure to future-proof newbuild assets. Hanwha Power’s new concept design addresses this directly through several core engineering innovations:
- LNG-Ammonia Multi-Cargo Capability: Engineered to transport both liquefied natural gas and ammonia, the vessel addresses the rapid emergence of ammonia as a viable next-generation bridge fuel and zero-carbon propellant.
- High-Manganese Steel Containment (Mc-C): Moving away from conventional nickel-alloy or aluminum solutions, the design utilizes Hanwha’s proprietary high-manganese steel technology. This allows the vessel to safely handle cryogenic alternative fuels with minimal structural modifications down the line.
- Hybrid Electric Propulsion: Recognizing that bunkering assets spend extensive hours operating in ports or coastal ecosystems, the vessel features an integrated hybrid configuration combining an Onshore Power Supply (OPS) system with an Energy Storage System (ESS). This setup slashes emissions at berth while optimizing overall operational efficiency and economics.
Unified Synergy: The Hanwha Group Ecosystem
At Gastech 2026, Hanwha Power exhibited alongside key maritime and energy affiliates Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Engine, highlighting a synchronized, group-wide approach to the green energy transition. Beyond core containment and propulsion, the 22,000-cbm vessel integrates several proprietary technologies developed within the Hanwha ecosystem:
- Dual-fuel generator sets
- Electrical power system and grid integration
- Advanced Integrated Automation Systems (IAS)
- Specialized Cargo Handling Systems (CHS)
By consolidating these diverse systems, Hanwha aims to deliver a comprehensive Engineering and Procurement (EP) package, maximizing supply chain reliability and commercial synergies for global shipowners.
“This ABS AiP marks another important milestone demonstrating Hanwha Power’s technological reliability and commercial viability in the global eco-friendly vessel market,” stated Hoon-min Kim, Head of Hanwha Power’s Marine Solution Business Division. “Building on the Hanwha Group’s differentiated clean-technology capabilities, we will continue to provide global shipowners with optimized integrated solutions for the transition to more sustainable marine transportation.”
About ABS
Founded in 1862 and headquartered in the United States, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is a premier international classification society. ABS evaluates and certifies the technical compliance, seaworthiness, and safety of ships and offshore structures across every phase of their design, construction, and operation.
About Hanwha Power
Hanwha Power is a specialized provider of advanced energy equipment and eco-friendly marine solutions. Since establishing its Marine Solution Business Division in 2023, the company has actively pursued initiatives involving vessel retrofits, alternative-fuel propulsion systems, and energy-efficiency improvements. Hanwha Power delivers differentiated sustainable solutions to global shipping lines, including onboard regasification and re-liquefaction technologies, expanded cargo containment capacity, and alternative-fuel conversions, thereby leading the maritime sector’s transition toward greener transportation.
Source: Hanwha