South Korean steelmaker Hyundai Steel has started using the first out of two LNG-powered bulk carriers it chartered from compatriot H-Line Shipping.
Hyundai Steel said in a statement it took delivery of LNG-powered HL Oceanic from South Korea’s Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in Mokpo on Wednesday.
The 180,000-dwt dual-fuel vessel has already started its maiden voyage to Australia.
It would transport about 2 million tons of iron ore and coal per year on the route between South Korea and Australia, according to Hyundai Steel.
The firm also expects to take delivery of the second LNG-powered sister ship, HL Sunny, in March next year as part of a move to meet the tightening IMO regulations and slash emissions.
Hyundai Steel has signed a deal on these vessels in May of 2019 with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Kogas, and H-Line Shipping.
Hyundai Samho has already built two LNG-powered bulk carriers of the same type for H-Line Shipping, but these vessels are on a charter to steel giant Posco.
The vessels HL Eco and HL Green, claimed to be the world’s first LNG-fueled large bulk carriers, are also transporting iron ore and coal between Korea and Australia.
Moreover, the vessels are 292 meters long and 45 meters wide and feature two Type C 1,600-cbm LNG tanks, each.
South Korean LNG importing giant Kogas will fuel the ships via its LNG bunkering vessel.
