• South Korean shipping line HMM recently placed a KRW 4 trillion (about US$2.8 billion) newbuilding order to expand and modernize its fleet
• Order covers 12 container vessels (13,000 twenty-equivalent units each) and two very large crude carriers
• All container ships will be LNG dual-fuel, aligning with global decarbonization standards
• HMM’s fleet already includes methanol- and LNG-powered ships
HMM recently placed a KRW 4 trillion (about US$2.8 billion) newbuilding order to expand and modernize its fleet, signaling one of its largest sustainability-driven investments to date.
The order includes twelve 13,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) container ships and two very large crude carriers (VLCCs), forming part of the company’s long-term fleet renewal and decarbonization plan, the South Korean shipping line said in a statement.
All container vessels will be liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fueled ships, to be constructed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean.
With International Maritime Organization and European Union regulations tightening on carbon emissions, the use of LNG is seen as one of the most readily deployable lower-emission alternatives.
Alternative-fuel vessels represented nearly 50% of all newbuildings ordered last year, with over 70% powered by LNG, according to Clarksons Research.
HMM’s current fleet already includes methanol-powered containerships and LNG-fueled vessels. The new additions will further strengthen its position in sustainable shipping and help diversify its bulk portfolio through the VLCCs, the company said.
The investment aligns with the company’s 2030 mid- to long-term strategy to secure a flexible, future-ready fleet capable of adapting to global market volatility and evolving regulatory requirements, HMM added.
READ: HMM tests onboard 3D printing to improve spare parts management
