Hyundai Heavy Industries Group Builds World's First LNG-Powered Container Ship

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] Hyundai Heavy Industries Group has built the world's first LNG (liquefied natural gas) powered ultra-large container ship.

Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries announced on the 24th that it will deliver a 14,800 TEU (1 TEU equals one 20-foot container) class container ship ordered by Singapore EPS next month on the 15th.

Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries recently completed sea trials with about 130 people on board, including shipowners and classification society officials.

This vessel is the world's first ultra-large container ship powered by LNG fuel, measuring 366 m in length, 51 m in width, and 29.9 m in depth.

Equipped with a large 12,000 m³ LNG fuel tank, it can operate round trips on Asia-Europe routes on a single refueling.

The LNG fuel tank uses 9% nickel steel, which maintains strength even in cryogenic (-163 degrees Celsius) conditions.

The arrangement and design of the LNG fuel tank, fuel gas supply system (FGSS), and dual-fuel engine are optimized to enhance safety and container loading efficiency.

Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries received an order for six vessels from EPS in April 2018 and plans to deliver all by the third quarter of 2022.

A Hyundai Heavy Industries Group official said, "Just as electric vehicles are emerging, eco-friendly ships such as LNG-powered vessels are gaining attention."

Hyundai Heavy Industries Group has secured orders for 44 LNG-powered ships across various types including bulk carriers, tankers, and container ships, holding the highest order record worldwide.

In July 2018, Hyundai Heavy Industries Group delivered the world's first large LNG-powered tanker (114,000 tons class).

This vessel was recognized for its technology by winning the Next Generation Ship Award at Nor-Shipping, one of the world's top three ship exhibitions held in Norway last year.

China has also ordered LNG-powered container ships but is reportedly showing technical limitations such as delays in delivery.

The delivery of the 23,000 TEU class LNG-powered container ship being built by China's SCS Shipbuilding, originally scheduled for last November, has been significantly delayed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.