Kwak Jong-woo, left, chief of Hanwha Defense’s domestic business division, holds an agreement with Korean Register of Shipping research head Kim Dae-heon after signing a memorandum of understanding at the KRS head office in Seoul on Sept. 2. Photo courtesy of Hanwha Defense

Two outfits will cooperate for ESS business

Hanwha Defense announced on Sept. 3 that the South Korean defense giant had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korean Register of Shipping (KRS).

Under the partnership, the two outfits strive to develop technologies necessary to operate an energy storage system (ESS) for vessels in stable and safe ways.

In addition, they agreed to join forces to cope with the environmental standards posed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards and meet the ESS-associated technological demands.

Hanwha Defense has attempted to duplicate its success at submarine lithium-ion batteries to the potential-loaded ESS business as the two sectors are closely related.

ESS is the device designed to convert electrical energy from power systems into a form, which can be stored for converting back to electrical energy when necessary.

Based on its expertise in lithium-ion batteries, Hanwha Defense has secured a competitive edge on the all-important ESS packaging technology.

The ESS systems made by Hanwha Defense are already installed into many government vessels or test ships.

“We expect that the collaboration with the KRS will further improve our competitiveness on the ESS technology,” said Kwak Jong-woo, who leads Hanwha Defense’s domestic business division.

“On the back of the agreement, we will put forth efforts to provide the best ESS with world-class safety to prepare for the new era of eco-friendly ships.”

KRS research chief Kim Dae-heon also expressed his hopes for the joint project.

“The mixture of Hanwha Defense’s outstanding technology and our experience will enable us to spearhead the global standards for the in-vessel ESS business,” he said.

In line with the global trend, the South Korean government has encouraged the transition to environmentally-friendly ships under its Green Ship-K initiative.

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