Hanwha Aerospace is entering the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) distribution business for the first time, expanding its business scope into energy.
Hanwha Aerospace said on the 27th that it signed an LNG purchase agreement with U.S. LNG producer Venture Global. Under the deal, Hanwha Aerospace will secure 1.5 million tons of LNG annually for 20 years starting in 2030 and supply it to global demand centers, including Europe and Asia. That is about 4.4% of Korea's annual LNG consumption of 34.12 million tons as of 2024.
The agreement is part of a strategy to build a "global LNG value chain" by bringing together the capabilities of group affiliates. Hanwha Ocean will handle marine infrastructure, including LNG carriers and floating liquefied natural gas production facilities (FLNG), and Hanwha Energy will take charge of LNG power generation and operations. Hanwha Shipping LLC is slated to conduct maritime transport.
Hanwha Aerospace plans to secure future growth engines through the LNG business. Based on energy security capabilities, it also aims to strengthen the global competitiveness of its existing core sectors of defense and shipbuilding. As the perception spreads that energy supply stability is directly tied to national security, major countries, including Europe, are pushing the securing of LNG as a core security strategy, which is also cited as a background for business expansion.
Hanwha Aerospace plans to build long-term security cooperation with target countries through the LNG business and work to expand defense exports. Accordingly, Hanwha Ocean is also expected to win more orders as demand for LNG carriers rises.
A Hanwha Aerospace official said, "The defense, shipbuilding, and energy industries are core elements of national security," adding, "We will contribute to global security through eco-friendly energy solutions that encompass everything from energy production to distribution and utilization."
Meanwhile, Hanwha Aerospace has been gradually securing a foundation for the LNG business. In 2024, it invested about 180 billion won in U.S. LNG corporations NextDecade, and in 2025, Hanwha Energy signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Korea Southern Power (KOSPO) to expand the global LNG supply chain.