Deployment of Busan-China-India-Mediterranean Route Starting January Next Year
HMM is introducing the first domestically built container ships fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Korea.
On the 21st, HMM held a naming ceremony for the 7,700 TEU (1 TEU is a container 6.1 meters long) LNG-powered vessels 'HMM Ocean' and 'HMM Sky' at HJ Heavy Industries in Yeongdo, Busan, and announced that they will be fully deployed starting January next year.
These ships are designed to comply with international carbon emission regulations and are the first LNG-powered container ships in Korea. The Greek shipowner Navios placed the order with the domestic shipyard HJ Heavy Industries, and HMM will charter and operate the vessels for up to 14 years.
Starting January next year, the two ships will be deployed on HMM's independent FIM service route connecting the Mediterranean and Northeast Asia, operating between Busan, China, India, and the Mediterranean.
The shipping industry is implementing numerous regulations such as the EU ETS (Emissions Trading System) and FuelEU Maritime (shipping fuel regulations) with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Ships that do not meet these regulations may face operational difficulties.
Various alternative fuels such as methanol, ammonia, and LNG are being considered. Among them, LNG has recently gained attention. LNG-powered ships reduce carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by 30% and 85%, respectively, and sulfur oxides and fine dust by 99%, significantly lowering pollutant emissions. The French maritime research firm Alphaliner analyzed that 55% of the ships ordered worldwide this year are LNG-powered vessels.
Kim Kyung-bae, CEO of HMM, said, "The LNG-fueled ships being delivered this time will greatly assist HMM's operations," adding, "We will do our best to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
