Tragedy at Hanwha Ocean Shipyard: A Closer Look at Recent Fatalities

Geoje, South Korea — A Shipyard Under Scrutiny

Hanwha Ocean, one of South Korea’s leading shipbuilders, has come under intense scrutiny following a series of fatal accidents at its Geoje shipyard. Once known as Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), the yard was rebranded after Hanwha Group’s acquisition in 2023. Despite promises of improved safety and oversight, recent incidents have raised serious concerns about working conditions and operational protocols.

 September 3, 2025: The Death of Rodrigo Reis Barreto

The most recent and widely reported fatality occurred on September 3, 2025, involving Rodrigo Reis Barreto, a 39-year-old Brazilian national and supervisor for Petrobras, Brazil’s state-owned oil company.

Incident Details:

• Barreto was overseeing a load test on the stern crane winch aboard the P-79 FPSO, a floating production storage and offloading vessel under construction.
• A cantilevered platform collapsed, causing Barreto to fall more than 10 meters into the sea.
• He recovered after 90 minutes, but was found in cardiac arrest and later died in the hospital despite resuscitation efforts.
• Two other workers were injured in the collapse but survived by clinging to the wreckage.

Immediate Response:

• Hanwha Ocean suspended all related operations and launched an internal investigation.
• The Changwon Coast Guard and the Ministry of Employment and Labor initiated formal inquiries into potential violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act.
• Petrobras formed a special investigation committee and issued a statement emphasizing transparency and the need for improved safety standards.

 Early 2024: Explosion in the Rudder Workshop

Another fatal incident occurred in early 2024, shortly after Hanwha acquired DSME.

Incident Details:

• An unnamed subcontractor was killed following an explosion in the rudder workshop at the Okpo yard.
• The blast reportedly resulted from equipment malfunction or mishandling of volatile materials.
• The explosion threw the worker and fatally struck by debris.

Broader Implications:

• This incident marked the fifth fatal industrial accident at the yard since the implementation of South Korea’s Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
• Labor unions expressed disappointment, stating that safety had not improved under Hanwha’s leadership.
• The explosion reignited calls for stricter enforcement of workplace safety laws and better protection for subcontracted labor.

 Legal and Regulatory Fallout

South Korea’s Serious Accidents Punishment Act, enacted in 2022, holds company executives criminally liable for workplace fatalities caused by negligence. Hanwha Ocean’s recent incidents have prompted renewed investigations and potential legal consequences for senior management.

Authorities are examining:

• Whether proper safety protocols were followed
• The adequacy of emergency response measures
• The training and oversight of subcontracted workers

 Industry Reaction and Safety Commitments

Following the death of Rodrigo Barreto, Hanwha Ocean CEO Kim Hee-cheul formally apologized to the Brazilian government and Petrobras. The company pledged to:

• Cooperate fully with all investigations
• Conduct a comprehensive safety audit
• Implement stricter operational controls
• Enhance training programs for all personnel

Petrobras, meanwhile, has demanded greater transparency and accountability from its contractors, especially in overseas projects involving high-risk operations.

 Global Attention on the P-79 FPSO Project

The P-79 FPSO is a $2.3 billion project commissioned by Petrobras, with topside modules integrated by Chinese contractor COOEC. The vessel is part of Brazil’s strategic offshore expansion in the pre-salt basin, and its construction has drawn international attention.

Barreto’s death has cast a shadow over the project, prompting Petrobras to reassess its safety oversight in foreign shipyards and reevaluate its collaboration protocols with Hanwha Ocean.

 Lessons and the Path Forward

The fatalities at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard serve as a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in large-scale industrial operations. While shipbuilding remains a cornerstone of South Korea’s economy, the human cost of inadequate safety measures cannot be ignored.

Key takeaways:

• Safety must be prioritized over speed and cost-efficiency
• Subcontractor protections need urgent reform
• International clients must demand higher safety standards from partners

As investigations continue, the maritime industry will be watching closely. The hope is that these tragedies will lead to meaningful change—not just at Hanwha Ocean, but across shipyards worldwide.