HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore announced it has signed a contract with a U.S. region shipping company for the construction of four 200 000 m³ class liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, with the total contract value at 1 4993 billion Korean won (about $1.02 billion).
The vessels, each measuring 294.8 m in length, 48.9 m in width and 26.7 m in height, will be built at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Ulsan yard and delivered in phases to the owner by the first half of 2029. The carrier said the 200 000 m³ class design offers greater cargo capacity than the more common 174 000 m³ class, enabling lower per-unit transport costs, and that the ships will feature high-efficiency shaft generators and LNG reliquefaction systems aimed at improving operational efficiency.
The company also noted that HD Hyundai Heavy Industries recently delivered the first of four 22 000 m³ liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO₂) carriers to Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp., named “Active,” equipped with three tanks capable of maintaining temperatures as low as -55 °C and designed to carry liquefied gases including LPG and ammonia.
Additional features on this vessel include an Alternative Marine Power system, Selective Catalytic Reduction equipment for nitrogen oxide reduction, and Ice Class 1C structural design for enhanced environmental performance and navigation stability. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore stated it expects expansion in the eco-friendly vessel segment and plans to continue securing orders for higher-value ships.
The company’s disclosed order target for 2026 is $23.31 billion, though no further details on progress toward that goal were provided in the release.
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. is a South Korean shipbuilding and offshore engineering holding company and intermediate parent for the shipbuilding interests of HD Hyundai. It oversees the consolidation of design, construction and commercial ship order management across its subsidiaries and coordinates strategic business operations within the group’s shipbuilding segment. The company engages in contracting and delivery of various vessel types, offshore facilities, and related engineering services.
