Hanwha Partners with Italian RINA for Hybrid Vessel Development

March 18, 2026

(From left) Yoon Jin-seong, Head of MDS Business Unit at Hanwha Aerospace; Simone Manca, North Asia Marine Vice President at RINA; Kim Hyung-seok, Head of Ship Solutions Division at Hanwha Power Systems; Kim Eun-cheol, Design Manager at Hanwha Engine. (Photo provided by Hanwha)

Hanwha Power Systems, Aerospace, and Engine collaborate with Italian Classification Society RINA to Create Battery Hybrid Propulsion Systems

Hanwha Power Systems, Hanwha Aerospace, and Hanwha Engine—key subsidiaries of Hanwha Group in the maritime, energy, and propulsion sectors—announced that they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with RINA Asia BV Korea Branch, an Italian global classification organization, on March 11 for the joint development of a “battery hybrid propulsion system.”

This agreement aims to develop technology to convert internal combustion engine-based propulsion systems to battery hybrid forms in response to global maritime decarbonization trends. It covers not only newly built vessels but also the eco-friendly retrofit market for existing vessels, with the goal of delivering a total solution that combines the hardware capabilities of the three Hanwha companies with RINA’s certification expertise.

Hanwha Power Systems serves as the project control tower, overseeing ship design and system interface integration technology. It integrates Hanwha Aerospace’s marine Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and Hanwha Engine’s propulsion engine technology with its own design capabilities to complete cutting-edge battery hybrid propulsion vessels.

Hanwha Aerospace enhances safety and reliability by adapting aerospace energy technology into marine ESS. Hanwha Engine maximizes fuel efficiency and minimizes carbon emissions by optimizing engine-power systems with medium-speed engine technology.

RINA reviews rapidly changing international maritime regulations and certification requirements and provides technical guidelines by analyzing global ferry industry trends to ensure the system establishes itself as an international standard.

Kim Hyung-seok, Head of Ship Solutions Division at Hanwha Power Systems, stated, “This collaboration is an opportunity to maximize synergy by bringing together the integrated capabilities of Hanwha affiliates in energy equipment, batteries, and engines,” adding, “Through our partnership with RINA, we will secure reliable technology and expand our influence in the global eco-friendly ship market.”

Source: BusinessKorea