HMM, South Korea’s largest container shipping company, is introducing two 7,700 TEU liquefied natural gas-powered vessels, marking the country’s first LNG-fueled container ships. The vessels, HMM Ocean and HMM Sky, were built by HJ Shipbuilding and will begin operations in January on routes connecting East Asia with the Mediterranean.
The ships are chartered from Greek shipowner Navios for up to 14 years as HMM responds to stricter environmental regulations, including the EU’s emissions trading system and FuelEU Maritime rules. According to maritime researcher Alphaliner, LNG-powered vessels account for 55% of global ship orders this year.
The new ships promise to reduce carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by 30% and 85% respectively, while cutting sulfur oxides and particulate matter by 99%. They will serve HMM’s Far East-India-Mediterranean route.
HMM is pushing ahead with its 2045 net-zero target, having ordered nine methanol-powered ships last year. The company plans to invest 14.4 trillion won ($11 billion) in environmental initiatives as part of its broader 23.5 trillion won investment strategy through 2030.
