As the maritime industry moves towards a cleaner future, the need for ships that comply with tough carbon reduction rules is growing, in line with the International Maritime Organization’s target of carbon neutrality by 2050. With over 100,000 ships together releasing nearly a billion metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, urgent action is essential.
In South Korea, Hanwha Ocean, a leading shipbuilding and offshore company, is taking the lead in this environmental movement by using its unique green and sustainable technologies.
Smart ship technology is a significant solution that tracks a ship’s carbon intensity index according to the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator. This technology measures a vessel’s carbon dioxide emissions while it is running. If a ship gets a grade of D for three years in a row or an E once, on a scale from A to E, it will be banned from sailing. Hanwha Ocean’s smart ship platform, HS4, calculates the grade automatically and suggests best sailing routes and speeds to lower carbon dioxide emissions.
The Shaft Generator Motor (SGM) is another important technology. The SGM, connected to both a generator and propeller, changes kinetic energy from rotation into electricity. By lessening the need for traditional fuel or electrical generators, it cuts down carbon dioxide and sulfur oxide emissions. The SGM is used in many types of ships, including Liquid Natural Gas carriers, Liquid Petroleum Gas carriers, and very large crude carriers.
To improve fuel efficiency, the Air Lubrication System creates a bubble layer under a ship’s hull, reducing frictional resistance and allowing the vessel to glide more easily through the water while using less fuel. When paired with the SGM, ALS can lower fuel consumption by five to seven percent each year, saving up to a year and six months of fuel costs over the average lifespan of a ship, which is about 20 years. ALS has been successfully applied in over 60 vessels.
Hanwha Ocean has also introduced the Rotor Sail, a cylindrical device placed on a ship’s deck. It uses the Magnus effect to turn wind energy into extra propulsion, cutting fuel consumption by over five percent according to the IMO’s energy efficiency measures. This technology gained Approval in Principle from the Norwegian classification society, Det Norske Veritas, in 2021.
In addition to the vessel’s hull, Hanwha Ocean is also focused on capturing and reusing carbon from ship operations. The Onboard Carbon Capture System captures carbon dioxide with sodium hydroxide, turning it into a mineral form. This method produces significantly lower carbon dioxide levels among the by-products compared to other carbon capture systems.
Hanwha Ocean also provides an alternative carbon capture method using amine, a common technology because it effectively bonds with carbon dioxide. This process captures carbon dioxide in the absorber and releases the remaining, carbon-free exhaust into the atmosphere. By offering sodium hydroxide and amine options, Hanwha Ocean widens the range of carbon capture technologies available.
“We have adaptable eco-friendly technologies that can lower carbon emissions while efficiently operating vessels,” a Hanwha Ocean official stated. “We will invest further in research and development for zero-carbon emission technologies, leading to even more sustainable solutions in the maritime industry.”
Source: The Korea Herald
