[Report] Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, the Global LNG and Eco-Friendly Ship Hub... Strength in Gas Tank Technology

[Report] Jeonnam Yeongam Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Shipyard
Boom in Eco-Friendly Ship Market
Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Secures 15 Orders This Year Alone
LNG Tank Technology at Top Level
Rising as a Global Leader in Eco-Friendly Ships

Environmentally friendly ships, including LNG-powered vessels, are lined up under construction at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries shipyard in Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do.

[Asia Economy (Yeongam) = Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] On the 22nd, I visited Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries shipyard under Hyundai Heavy Industries located in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do. Upon entering, massive ship blocks and liquefied natural gas (LNG) tank pieces filled the shipyard spanning approximately 2.31 million square meters (about 700,000 pyeong). The block pieces were being transported around the vast shipyard on carriers. At the docks (facilities dug out to build ships) and quays (structures built to safely berth ships to the shore), eco-friendly ships equipped with LNG carrier and propulsion systems and scrubbers (desulfurization devices) were lined up. The sea in front of Yeongam resembled a showroom for future and eco-friendly ships.

A turning point has come for the Korean shipbuilding industry, led by eco-friendly ships. The focus is on eco-friendly vessels amid the decarbonization trend. In particular, Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries shipyard in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do, is called the cradle of eco-friendly ships. This is where large tankers, container ships, and bulk carriers equipped with LNG propulsion systems?currently receiving a flood of orders?were built for the first time in the world.

Samho Heavy Industries’ LNG fuel tank technology withstands cryogenic conditions at minus 163 degrees Celsius. Using '9% nickel steel,' which offers excellent strength and impact resistance, they applied advanced technology in the LNG propulsion field and optimized the layout and design of LNG fuel tanks, fuel supply systems, and dual-fuel engines required for LNG propulsion ships, enhancing safety and container loading efficiency.

Especially, Samho Heavy Industries’ strength lies in its land-based construction method, which greatly improves productivity. The land-based construction method involves building ships on dry land, then moving them to a floating dock at sea for launching and final assembly. A Samho Heavy Industries official said, "The land-based construction method allows building ships on land without the need for dock facilities, thereby increasing productivity." He added, "Samho Heavy Industries secured productivity capable of building more than eight LNG ships annually by utilizing self-propelled transporters that can lift up to 41,000 tons."

Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries is solidifying its status as a global leader in eco-friendly shipbuilding in the world market. According to Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, Hyundai Samho has secured orders for a total of 15 ships this year alone, including six large LNG carriers and nine large container ships. The order amount reached 2.75 billion dollars (3.2923 trillion won). This achievement represents 61% of the annual target (4.5 billion dollars, approximately 5.3874 trillion won) before the first quarter ended.

A ship is being constructed using Samho Heavy Industries' unique land-based construction method at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries shipyard in Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do.

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