HMM signs newbuilding contracts with HSHI and HJSC
From left to right: Park, Seung Yong (Senior Executive Vice President, HHI); Ka, Sam Hyun (CEO, KSOE); Cho, Seung Hwan (Minister, MOF); Kim, Kyung Bae (President&CEO, HMM); Yoo, Sang Cheol (CEO, HJSC) (Source: HMM)
Two South Korean yards have received orders by Seoul-based ship operator HMM (Hyundai Merchant Marine) to build nine 9,000-TEU container vessels powered by methanol dual-fuel engines.
Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI), part of the group Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), will build seven vessels, and HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) will build two. Expected delivery is scheduled from 2025 to 2026.
Last year, HMM had announced a medium-to-long-term strategy to enhance fleet competitiveness. With the order of methanol-powered container ships, HMM has taken an initial step toward expanding its eco-friendly fleet using alternative fuels. The newbuildings are set to be deployed on the Asia-North/Latin America trade lanes, Asia-India routes, or between Busan and key ports in the U.S.
HMM also said it has signed preliminary agreements with five foreign and Korean energy companies to secure production and supply of methanol for the new ships.
