Following the led of several other companies, South Korea’s HMM has chosen methanol to fuel its next series of newbuilds, which will be nine container carriers to be completed by compatriot builders Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries and HJ Shipbuilding and Construction.
To be delivered in 2025 and 2026, the 9,000 TEU vessels are expected to cost $1.2 billion en bloc to build and will be employed on routes connecting Asia with the Americas and India.
HMM has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five suppliers of methanol for the new ships but will also continue to examine other alternative fuels, including LNG, hydrogen and green ammonia.
Report by Jim Shaw
