151 MWh battery ship wins ABS nod: first 1,700-TEU zero-emission box carrier
Hanwha Power’s 1,700-TEU vessel design secures Approval in Principle for containerised 151 MWh battery system.
A South Korean engineering firm has secured a key certification for a fully electric container ship designed to eliminate carbon emissions in regional shipping routes.
The vessel, developed by Hanwha Power, has a capacity of 1,700 TEUs and is powered by a 151 megawatt-hour (MWh) energy storage system. The batteries are housed in modular containers, allowing them to be handled and stored like standard cargo units. This approach maximizes space efficiency while maintaining the ship’s cargo capacity.
Design and battery system: electric container ship
The system is designed for flexibility, enabling operators to adjust battery capacity based on voyage requirements. Charging would be done at port facilities, though Hanwha Power has not disclosed details on service speed, operating range, or charging duration. The company states the design is optimized for short-sea and regional container transport.
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) granted Approval in Principle (AiP) to the design on October 22, following a presentation at the Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cells Conference in Bergen, Norway. The certification confirms the concept meets industry safety and technical standards, marking a critical step before construction.
Certification and industry impact
Jong-kyu Hwang, Hanwha Power’s Vice President of Technology Solutions, attended the ceremony alongside ABS representatives. The approval strengthens the company’s position in zero-emission marine propulsion, complementing its existing design for a 1,000-TEU battery-powered vessel.
While no construction timeline has been announced, Hanwha Power plans to develop electric propulsion ships for various operational needs. The design aligns with global efforts to reduce shipping emissions, though the company has not specified how the vessel’s range or performance compares to conventional container ships.
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