HANJIN HEAVY INDUSTRIES

- Signed contract to build an 18,000㎥ LNG fuel supply ship, marking the start of this year’s orders
- Reaffirmed its world-class LNG bunkering shipbuilding expertise, accelerating expansion into the eco-friendly vessel market
 

- Contract Signing Ceremony (From left: H-Line Shipping CEO Seo Myungdeuk, HJSC CEO Yoo Sang-cheol)

HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) has secured its first order of the year with a contract worth KRW 127.1 billion to build an 18,000㎥ LNG bunkering vessel for H-Line Shipping. This achievement follows the company's success in 2014 when it built the world’s first 5,100㎥ LNG bunkering vessel for Japan’s NYK Line.

With this latest order for a cutting-edge LNG bunkering vessel, which is an essential step toward carbon neutrality, the multinational shipbuilder has once again demonstrated its expertise in eco-friendly ship technology. This accomplishment also reinforces South Korea’s shipbuilding industry's efforts to enhance competitiveness by securing high-efficiency, environmentally friendly vessels in the global market.

Notably, with the anticipated expansion of oil and natural gas drilling and the resumption of LNG exports under the second Trump administration in the U.S., the market for crude oil carriers, LNG carriers, and LNG bunkering vessels is expected to see significant growth. This trend is likely to benefit the country’s highly competitive shipbuilding industry.

The contracted vessel is a large-scale LNG bunkering ship measuring 144 meters in length, 25.2 meters in width, and 12.8 meters in depth. It is capable of supplying up to 18,000㎥ of LNG in a single operation to LNG-fueled ships. Equipped with two independent LNG tanks certified by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the vessel features a dual-fuel propulsion system that allows it to operate on both eco-friendly LNG and marine diesel oil. This advanced system ensures both stability and operational efficiency while effectively reducing carbon emissions.

While LNG-powered vessels usually refuel from onshore LNG storage tanks, ship-to-ship (STS) LNG bunkering allows them to receive fuel directly at sea without docking. This unique capability has earned LNG bunkering vessels the nickname “floating gas stations.”

In 2017, the global shipbuilding company showcased its technological expertise by delivering the world’s first universal 5,100㎥ LNG bunkering vessel, ENGIE Zeebrugge. French multinational energy company ENGIE praised this achievement, stating, “The introduction of ENGIE Zeebrugge marks a milestone in LNG fuel supply infrastructure. The vessel enables a more flexible LNG fuel supply for various LNG-powered ships, moving beyond the previous reliance on onshore terminals and LNG trailers.”

As the world moves toward decarbonization, LNG is emerging as a key eco-friendly fuel, driving increased demand for LNG bunkering vessels, which offer the most efficient fuel supply solution. According to TotalEnergies Marine Fuels, a leading marine fuel supplier in Singapore, global LNG bunkering demand is projected to surge from 400,000 tons/year in 2017 to 10 million tons/year by 2025.

Yoo Sang-cheol, CEO of HJSC, stated, “As global LNG demand and supply continue to grow, the LNG bunkering vessel market will see steady expansion.” He continued, “We will focus on strengthening our expertise in building eco-friendly, high-value-added ships, securing a competitive edge that aligns with our legacy as a leader in shipbuilding.”