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HJ Shipbuilding & Construction held the naming ceremony for HMM Ocean and HMM Sky in Busan on Thursday, according to a statement by HMM.
HMM said it will charter these vessels with a capacity of 7,700 teu for up to 14 years.
The shipping firm will deploy the containerships on its FIM (Far East–India–Mediterranean) service starting January 2025.
Back in June 2022, Navios Maritime Partners, led by Angeliki Frangou, ordered these two vessels for $241 million at HJ Shipbuilding & Construction.
HMM said these are “the first LNG-powered containerships in Korea” without providing further details.
The shipbuilder probably means these are the first LNG dual-fuel containerships to be deployed by a South Korean shipping firm.
They are certainly not the first LNG dual-fuel containerships built in South Korea, as Korean yards already delivered a large number of LNG-powered containerships to various owners.
LNG fuel leading
HMM said “LNG is emerging as a leading low-carbon fuel, significantly reducing CO₂, NOx, SOx, and particulate matter emissions.”
This step strengthens the company’s plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.
DNV’s recent data shows that 229 orders for LNG-powered vessels were placed during January-October this year, a 106 percent increase over the same period last year.
Most of these vessels are LNG-dual fuel containerships.
Earlier this year, HMM joined forces with China’s terminal operator Shanghai International Port (SIPG) to fuel its LNG-powered vessels.
The two firms signed a memorandum of understanding which primarily focuses on bunkering LNG and methanol fuel at the Shanghai port.
In December 2023, HMM also joined forces with compatriot Hyundai Glovis to order six LNG dual-fuel pure car and truck carriers from China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI).
The deal for the PCTCs with a capacity of 10,800 ceu also includes an option for four additional vessels.