SEOUL: Hanwha Ocean Co., a leading South Korean shipbuilder, has entered into a strategic partnership with British classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR), aiming to strengthen its position in the European naval defence sector.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on Friday at the International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX) 2025 in Busan. The agreement forms part of Hanwha Ocean’s broader strategy to enhance global competitiveness and compliance with international naval certification standards.
The collaboration will enable Hanwha Ocean to integrate LR’s classification requirements—including those aligned with NATO technical standards—from the earliest stages of ship design. By doing so, the company aims to reinforce the safety and credibility of its naval vessels, positioning itself more competitively for contracts from major global navies.
Lloyd’s Register, recognised as one of the world’s top three classification societies, brings to the partnership robust expertise in regulatory interpretation, quality assurance, and certification methodologies.
The agreement also outlines cooperation on design reviews, quality control protocols, and joint technical marketing campaigns targeting overseas naval clients and governmental bodies.
“Through this collaboration with LR, we aim to accelerate our entry into overseas naval markets, particularly in Europe,” Hanwha Ocean stated.
-Yonhap
