HANJIN HEAVY INDUSTRIES

- Lands orders for 4 additional 7,900 TEU eco-friendly container ships, gaining benefits from building 8 ships consecutively

- Container ship of the same class built by HJSC

HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) has signed a contract with a European shipowner to build four 7,900 TEU eco-friendly container ships, worth a total of KRW 606.7 billion. This deal mirrors a similar contract the multinational shipbuilder won in June with another European client for four 7,900 TEU container ships. The company anticipates increased productivity and profitability from the efficiencies gained by building ships with the same design.

The ships ordered are 7,900 TEU container vessels, each measuring 272 meters in length, 42.8 meters in width, and capable of a speed of 22 knots. They feature advanced specifications and eco-friendly designs. With this latest order, HJSC has now secured a total of eight 7,900 TEU container ships this year, with a combined contract value of KRW 1.2 trillion.

Recently, container ship orders have been increasing due to higher shipping rates and increased competition among global shipping companies, contributing to a rise in ship prices. According to UK-based maritime and shipping research firm Clarksons, the cost of container ships has surged by more than 30% over the past two years. Additionally, there is consistent demand for replacing aging vessels, which is further fueling orders for eco-friendly ships.

The South Korean shipbuilder credits its success in securing these orders to its advanced technology in the eco-friendly container ship sector. The company has been focusing on next-generation, sustainable shipbuilding technologies, including the successful development of LNG dual-fuel container ships and carbon capture and storage (CCS) container ships.

The ships HJSC has secured for this order also feature eco-friendly equipment and a twin-island design, which separates the living quarters from the engine room, positioning the living space at the center of the ship. This design optimizes fuel efficiency and maximizes container capacity.

To comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations on sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions, the ships will be fitted with scrubbers. They will also be built as methanol-ready vessels, allowing for carbon-neutral operations in the future.

An official from HJSC stated, “This contract was made possible by the combination of our container shipbuilding expertise and eco-friendly technology meeting the needs of the shipowner.” He added, "We are committed to delivering the highest-quality ships on time and ensuring the trust of our client.”

Meanwhile, the container ships will be built at the Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan and are set to be delivered progressively starting in 2026.