Naming Ceremony for 'HL Fortuna' Held in Mokpo on the 23rd
Five Round Trips Annually Between Korea and the US... Securing North American Energy
Posco Group is set to accelerate the expansion of its energy business by introducing an LNG-exclusive vessel. This move will strengthen the LNG value chain and enable the company to secure stable energy resources.
POSCO International announced on the 25th that it held the naming ceremony for the group's first LNG-exclusive vessel, the HL Fortuna, at HD Hyundai Samho in Mokpo, Jeonnam, on the 23rd. 'Fortuna' means 'luck' in Latin.
Posco International announced on the 25th that it held the naming ceremony for the group's first LNG carrier, the HL Fortuna, at HD Hyundai Samho in Mokpo, Jeonnam, on the 23rd. Posco Inter...
The naming ceremony was attended by key figures from the group, including Lee Kyein, President of POSCO International, and Lee Yugyung, Vice President of POSCO, as well as industry leaders such as Kim Jaeul, President of HD Hyundai Samho, and Seo Myungdeuk, President of H-Line Shipping. They shared the significance of securing LNG transport assets and discussed future cooperation plans.
The LNG-exclusive vessel introduction project involves close collaboration among three companies in the energy, shipbuilding, and shipping industries. POSCO International is responsible for the long-term LNG import contracts and overall operations, HD Hyundai Samho is in charge of shipbuilding, and H-Line Shipping will manage vessel operations.
The HL Fortuna is an LNG carrier measuring 299 meters in length and 46.4 meters in width, with a loading capacity of 174,000 cubic meters, optimized for transporting North American LNG. It can carry enough natural gas in a single voyage to supply the entire Republic of Korea for 12 hours.
Additionally, the vessel is equipped with a dual-fuel system that uses LNG as its main fuel, and a high-efficiency reliquefaction facility that re-cools vaporized gas during transport and restores it as fuel. This design enables flexible compliance with international environmental regulations.
POSCO International announced on the 25th that it held the naming ceremony for the group's first LNG-exclusive vessel, the HL Fortuna, at HD Hyundai Samho in Mokpo, Jeonnam, on the 23rd. POSCO Inter...
After delivery on the 27th, the vessel will undergo sea trials and will be deployed for global LNG trading starting in the second half of the year. From 2026, it will begin loading at the Cheniere terminal in Louisiana, USA, and will be used for both domestic imports and overseas trading. Based on the Gwangyang LNG Terminal, the vessel will make more than five round trips per year, transporting POSCO International's long-term contract LNG volumes from North America.
POSCO International has signed a long-term contract with Cheniere Energy for 400,000 tons annually, and another long-term contract with Mexico Pacific for 700,000 tons annually. As the Mexico Pacific project enters full-scale development, the company also plans to secure additional dedicated vessels to ensure stable transportation of these volumes.
A POSCO International representative stated, "With the group's LNG value chain now strengthened from gas field production to import, storage, and power generation, we have established a solid foundation to effectively respond to global protectionism. By securing additional LNG-exclusive vessels, we will further enhance supply stability and LNG trading efficiency, and continuously strengthen our ability to respond to global supply chain challenges."
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