Kim Dong-Kwan, vice chairman of Hanwha Group, proposed building an "electric-propulsion vessel marine ecosystem" that would change the paradigm of the global shipping industry in a contributed piece on the forum's official website ahead of the 56th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos.
To realize a comprehensive "carbon-free marine ecosystem," Kim laid out specific measures that include: developing electric vessels; developing stable energy storage systems (ESS); building port charging infrastructure; and installing decarbonized energy supply facilities.
On the 15th, according to Hanwha Group, Kim contributed an article to the Davos forum and assessed that a shipping industry that has relied on fossil fuels for more than 200 years has begun a transition to eco-friendly propulsion systems. Due to the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s 2050 net zero goal and the European Union (EU)'s strengthened carbon emission regulations, shipping companies worldwide must secure allowances for the entirety of their carbon emissions from 2027 onward.
Kim assessed that the ship propulsion system must be fundamentally converted in line with this trend. For now, the industry has no choice but to rely on transitional methods such as onboard carbon capture, but that is only a short-term solution.
He stressed that stable energy storage systems (ESS) are essential for the full-scale spread of electric ships and that accessible battery charging and replacement infrastructure is needed. He also proposed that power supply systems based on clean energy be established at ports.
Kim said, "Shipping decarbonization cannot be achieved with a single technology or policy," adding, "Cooperation across the entire value chain, encompassing shipyards, port stakeholders, energy suppliers, and policymakers, is critical."
Kim also said Hanwha Group is actively participating in decarbonizing the shipping industry, leveraging its world-class shipbuilding and energy technologies.
He explained, "Hanwha Ocean is pursuing the development of carbon-free ships incorporating innovative technologies such as ammonia gas turbines," and "By applying advanced ESS and clean energy solutions across marine infrastructure, we are laying the groundwork for ships and ports to evolve together with the broader ecosystem."
He also said, "We are discussing a pilot project with European port authorities to provide ESS and ship charging facilities using clean energy." This signals an intention to establish a new standard for global marine clean energy systems with Hanwha's technology.
Kim said, "Public-private cooperation is essential for the industrial changes needed to reach net zero," projecting that only close collaboration between the public and private sectors will open the path to commercialization.
Kim first attended the Davos forum in 2010 and has since carried out various activities through the forum for a sustainable future.
In 2013, he was selected as a Young Global Leader (YGL) of the forum, and in 2015 he joined the "reigniting the economic engine" session and in 2016 the "low-carbon economy" session as a panelist, working to expand the base of renewable energy.
In 2024, as a speaker at the forum's annual meeting, he proposed a "carbon-free propulsion gas carrier" for the first time in the global industry.