[Featured Stock] NK Soars on Approval as World's First Ozone Method Ship Ballast Water Treatment Device

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] NK's stock price is soaring. As Korea has maintained the number one position in global LNG carrier orders for three consecutive months, NK's approval for the world's first ozone-based ship ballast water treatment system has come into the spotlight, leading to a sharp rise in its stock price.

As of 10:31 AM on the 11th, NK is trading at 1,200 KRW, up 23.46% compared to the previous trading day.

According to related industries, fueled by the Ukraine war and demand from the Qatar LNG project, global LNG carrier orders from January to July this year reached an all-time high, with Korea sweeping the market. Thanks to the surge in LNG ship orders, Korea overtook China last month to secure half of the world's ship orders, maintaining the top spot for three consecutive months. Korean shipbuilders have secured 11.13 million CGT (204 vessels) out of the global cumulative ship orders of 23.68 million CGT (standardized cargo ship gross tonnage) from January to July this year. This accounts for a remarkable 47%. During the same period, China secured 10.07 million CGT (42%), falling behind Korea. In particular, Korean shipbuilders' dominant competitiveness in the LNG carrier sector once again proved to be a key driver. Over the past seven months, 103 LNG carriers (over 140,000 m³) were ordered worldwide, marking the highest record since Clarkson Research began compiling related statistics in 2000. Of the 103 LNG carriers ordered from January to July this year, Korea secured 78 vessels (76%). By company, Hyundai Heavy Industries secured 34 vessels, Samsung Heavy Industries 24 vessels, and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering 20 vessels.

Meanwhile, NK, a company specializing in ship ballast water treatment systems, has obtained Type Approval from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for the world's first ozone-based ship ballast water treatment system. Additionally, NK supplies fixed ship firefighting equipment, with major customers including Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard.