HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Builds Ammonia-Powered Vessel, Intensifying Competition in Eco-Friendly Ship Market

Naming Ceremony Held for Two 46,000-cubic-meter Vessels
Equipped with Advanced Safety and Disaster Prevention Technologies

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has succeeded in building what is considered the world's first ammonia-powered vessel, taking the lead in the eco-friendly ship market.

According to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries on April 9, the company held a naming ceremony at its Ulsan shipyard for two 46,000-cubic-meter class medium-sized gas carriers equipped with dual-fuel (DF) engines.

About 70 people, including Joo Wonho, Head of the Naval & Medium Vessel Business Division, Nicolas Saverys, Chairman of Exmar, and Bruno Jans, Belgian Ambassador to Korea, as well as other stakeholders and employees, attended the event.

The ships were named "Antwerpen" and "Arlon" after cities in Belgium. These vessels are the first and second of four ammonia-powered medium gas carriers that HD Hyundai Heavy Industries received orders for from subsidiaries of Belgian shipping company Exmar in 2023 and 2024. After final preparations, the ships are scheduled to be delivered sequentially at the end of May and the end of July.

Measuring 190 meters in length, 30.4 meters in width, and 18.8 meters in height, the vessels are equipped with three cargo tanks designed and manufactured using proprietary technology, allowing for the stable transport of liquefied gases such as ammonia and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Additionally, the application of a shaft generator and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system ensures both energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.

In particular, the vessels feature devices that detect ammonia leaks in real time and an emission recovery system, enhancing safety. The company explained that disaster prevention technology, considering the toxic nature of ammonia, was incorporated from the design stage of the ships.

Ammonia is a carbon-free fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide during combustion. Compared to hydrogen, which requires cryogenic storage, ammonia is easier to store and transport, making it a promising next-generation energy source. Its high storage density when liquefied also makes it well-suited for long-distance maritime transport.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that ammonia fuel will account for 8% of the shipping industry’s fuel mix by 2030 and increase to 46% by 2050. Accordingly, the ammonia-powered vessel market is expected to grow rapidly.

Joo Wonho stated, "Building ammonia-powered vessels, which require advanced technology, is highly significant," adding, "We will continue to strengthen our competitiveness in the eco-friendly ship market through ongoing technological innovation."

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has won orders for a total of eight ammonia-powered vessels from companies including Exmar and Trafigura. Previously, in 2016, the company delivered the world’s first methanol-fueled petrochemical carrier, and in 2023, it delivered a methanol-powered container ship, thereby accumulating technological expertise in the field of eco-friendly fuel-powered vessels.

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