South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering have received approval in principle from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a 16,000 TEU containership concept using electric propulsion, reported Rotterdam's Offshore Energy.

ABS reviewed the design against class requirements, assessing the vessel's power generation, conversion systems and propulsion motors.

Joshua Divin, Senior Vice President for Marine Business Development at ABS, said the approval marked a milestone in integrating electric propulsion into large seagoing vessels. He added that ABS, HD KSOE and HHI were committed to advancing maritime electrification.

Byoung-Hun Kwon, head of the HD KSOE Electrification Centre, said the concept supports the International Maritime Organisation's 2050 carbon-neutral goal. He said the group would continue developing eco-friendly, high-efficiency ship technologies to build trust with global shipping firms.

The AiP concludes the first phase of the project. HD Hyundai intends to begin phase two in 2026, incorporating energy storage systems and advanced propulsion drives to accelerate zero-carbon ship commercialisation.

Earlier in 2025, ABS also granted AiP to HHI and KSOE for a floating small modular reactor unit designed to supply offshore and near-shore electricity to ports and coastal communities.

Patrick Ryan, ABS chief technology officer, said floating nuclear facilities could support power grids, microgrids, industrial sites and data centres. He noted that modern nuclear designs use lower enrichment fuels and have different risk profiles, making them more viable for offshore use.