Advancing maritime decarbonization through technology, infrastructure, and partnership in Shipbuilding News 11/02/2026 For decades, global shipping has relied on fossil fuels for propulsion. As trade volumes have risen and fleets have expanded, these emissions-intensive fuels have made shipping an increasingly carbon-heavy sector. With long voyage distances, vessels that remain in service for decades, and multiple potential pathways to decarbonization, cutting emissions at scale is a complex challenge. Policy frameworks are now responding, led by the International Maritime Organization’s goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by or around 2050. Regulatory pressure is also increasing. In the United States, California’s At Berth Regulation requires vessels calling at its ports to control emissions using shore power or approved alternatives, while in Washington, the Port of Seattle became the first in the nation to require that homeported cruise vessels be shore power capable and utilize shore power. These measures are compressing transition timelines, raising compliance costs, and forcing rapid market adaptation. Electric ships are moving from pilot projects to becoming a core element of maritime modernization, with the market projected to grow from $4.85 billion in 2025 to $18.39 billion by 2032. Growth is expected to accelerate further as regulatory mandates expand. Yet the transition is complex. Building new fleets takes time, and vessels must still meet the demands of long-distance and heavy-duty shipping. While interim measures help manage near- to midterm requirements, achieving maritime decarbonization will ultimately require early, sustained investment in deeper technological and infrastructural change. As global decarbonization policies take effect, owners and operators who have not adequately prepared risk higher costs, widening technology gaps, and reduced long-term industrial competitiveness. The vessel technology needed to drive change Developing and scaling next-generation technologies that reduce carbon emissions will be essential to meeting maritime decarbonization targets. This will require a fundamental shift in how vessels are powered, combining advanced propulsion systems for newbuilds with pathways to transition the existing fleet. Clean propulsion Full decarbonization will require a shift away from fossil-fuel propulsion toward alternative fuels capable of significantly reducing carbon emissions during operation. For deep-sea shipping, this means propulsion systems that can deliver zero- or low-emission performance at scale without compromising range or output. Hanwha is developing an ammonia-fueled gas turbine designed to generate power without emitting carbon dioxide at the point of use. Built to support long-range, high-output operations, the system is intended to address one of the central challenges of maritime decarbonization: delivering low-emission propulsion at the scale required for ocean-going vessels. In parallel, Hanwha Engine’s acquisition of Norway-based SEAM expands Hanwha’s portfolio to include electric propulsion and power automation systems. The move strengthens Hanwha’s clean-propulsion capabilities and enhances its ability to deliver integrated, retrofittable low- and zero-emission solutions across a wide range of vessels. Energy storage systems Electrification will play a critical role in reducing emissions across the maritime sector, particularly for vess