Daewoo Shipbuilding-POSCO Join Hands to Develop Eco-Friendly Ship New Materials and Welding Technology

20 Years of Continuous Exchange... Mutual Cooperation Between Joseon and Steel Industries

On the 13th, at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Okpo Shipyard, Choi Dong-gyu, Executive Director of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Central Research Institute (right), and Joo Se-don, Vice President of POSCO Technical Research Institute, are posing for a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement to establish a cooperative system for the development and application of new materials for shipbuilding. Photo by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seoyoon] Leading domestic shipbuilders and steelmakers with global competitiveness are joining forces to develop future new materials.

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and POSCO announced on the 14th that they held a business agreement ceremony to establish a cooperative system for the development and application of new materials for shipbuilding. About 40 officials from both companies attended the event, including DSME Vice President and Shipyard Director Woo Jehyeok, Executive Director and Chief of Central Research Institute Choi Donggyu, POSCO Vice President and Head of Technology Research Institute Joo Sedon, and Managing Director Kim Seongyeon of the Steel Solutions Research Institute.

Through this business agreement, the two companies plan to accelerate the development of new materials applicable to future ships and the corresponding welding technologies. They are preparing to develop new materials and welding construction technologies such as special steel that can withstand high pressure and low temperatures for liquefied carbon dioxide transportation, and high-manganese steel for storing and transporting liquefied hydrogen at an ultra-low temperature of minus 253°C. Additionally, in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s strengthened environmental regulations aiming for 'carbon zero,' they will also conduct research on ammonia fuel tanks and welding technologies for ammonia fuel-powered ships, which are gaining attention as next-generation eco-friendly vessels.

Over the past 20 years, the two companies have engaged in dozens of exchange meetings and hundreds of presentations to attempt material development and improve product competitiveness through the application of developed materials, serving as a model for inter-company exchange. Based on this trust, they proceeded with the business agreement ceremony to foster closer cooperation.

Representative R&D achievements jointly pursued by the two companies include ultra-low temperature LNG high-manganese steel fuel tanks at minus 163°C, ultra-thick TMCP steel plates 80-100mm thick capable of withstanding the loading weight of ultra-large container ships, low-temperature steel for cargo holds transporting LPG and ammonia at minus 55°C, and ARC-7 Yamal icebreaking LNG YP500 steel for polar navigation, among other new materials and advanced welding technologies for the development of the shipbuilding industry.

Director Joo stated, “I hope this will be an opportunity to continue the trust and cooperation built over the past 20 years, increase mutual benefits for both companies, and firmly establish a win-win cooperation system between the shipbuilding and steel industries.”

Chief Researcher Choi said, “Through the business agreement with POSCO, we will accelerate new material development and welding technology research,” adding, “We will attract the attention of shipowners worldwide through the development of eco-friendly new materials.”

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