HMM Orders Eight LNG Dual-Fuel Containerships from HD KSOE | Mariner News
HMM has commissioned HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) to construct eight 13,000-TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel container ships in a deal valued at 1.91 trillion won ($1.44 billion). The order, announced Tuesday, underscores the South Korean carrier’s strategic commitment to fleet modernization and the growing industry shift towards lower-emission propulsion solutions.
These newbuilds will measure 337 meters in length, 51 meters in width, and 27.9 meters in height, equipped with engines capable of operating on both LNG and conventional marine fuels. This dual-fuel capability positions HMM to meet evolving environmental regulations and reduce its carbon footprint.
Construction of the vessels will be split across HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding subsidiaries. Two of the container ships are designated for HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipyard in Ulsan, while the remaining six will be built at HD Hyundai Samho’s facility in Yeongam. All eight are scheduled for staged delivery to HMM by 2029.
The choice of 13,000-TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels suggests a calculated fleet strategy beyond the largest ultra-large container vessels. This size class offers considerable operational flexibility, capable of deployment on diverse global trade routes, including key intra-Asia or specific North-South services, where mega-max vessels might be less efficient. This provides HMM with a versatile, greener asset base, enhancing its competitive positioning in an increasingly environmentally conscious market.
This substantial order contributes to HD KSOE’s robust year-to-date performance, bringing its secured orders to $20.19 billion for 182 vessels. This achievement represents 86.6 percent of the shipbuilder’s annual order target.
