HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering to Build World's First Medium-Sized Ammonia-Powered Ship

Dual-Fuel Ammonia Propulsion System for European LPG Carriers
Built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard... Sequential Delivery by May 2026

HD Hyundai's intermediate holding company, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, has succeeded in securing the world's first order for a medium-sized ammonia-powered vessel.

On the 16th, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering announced that it decided to apply an ammonia dual-fuel propulsion engine to two 45,000㎥ medium-sized LPG carriers ordered from Belgian shipping company Exmar in March.

The ammonia-powered LPG carriers measure 190m in length, 30.4m in width, and 18.8m in height. They will be built at Ulsan Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and are scheduled to be delivered sequentially to the shipowner by May 2026.

The ammonia-powered vessels can comply not only with the 2030 International Maritime Organization (IMO) greenhouse gas reduction regulations but also with the 2050 IMO regulations that require a 100% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

These ships are designed to transport both LPG and ammonia, allowing the cargo to be used as engine fuel. Ammonia is an eco-friendly, carbon-free alternative fuel that emits no carbon dioxide during combustion. It is gaining attention in the industry for its ease of transport and storage, as well as its economic feasibility and supply stability.

Perspective view of Hyundai Mipo Dockyard's 45,000㎥ class medium-sized ammonia-powered ship
[Photo by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard]

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering aims to commercialize ammonia-powered vessels by 2025 and was the first in Korea to obtain basic certification for ammonia dual-fuel engines from Lloyd’s Register in the UK in 2020. In 2021, it succeeded in developing the industry's first ammonia fuel supply system.

In August 2021, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering secured the world's first order for a methanol-powered ultra-large container ship and has been leading the green ocean market, including the successful delivery of the world's first methanol-powered container ship built at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard last July.

An official from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering said, “Thanks to continuous technological development efforts, we were able to succeed in this world-first order. We will devote all our efforts to leading the future eco-friendly ship sector.”

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