South Korea’s HMM has taken a significant step toward sustainable shipping with the delivery of its first methanol-powered containership, HMM Green.
This 9,000 TEU vessel is the inaugural ship in a series of nine ordered in February 2023, with construction split between HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, which is building seven of the vessels, and HJ Shipbuilding & Construction, responsible for the remaining two.
The remaining ships are expected to be delivered progressively by next year, as part of HMM’s broader fleet expansion plan. HMM Green is equipped to bunker bio-methanol at the Port of Shanghai, marking a key milestone in the shipping line’s transition to low-emission fuels.
Bio-methanol, derived from waste resources, offers a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional bunker fuels. It can reduce carbon emissions by up to 65 percent, while eliminating sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions and cutting nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by as much as 80 percent.
Each vessel in this new class is outfitted with advanced environmental technologies to comply with international regulations such as the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and FuelEU Maritime requirements. This ensures seamless operability across global trade routes and signals HMM’s preparedness for stricter emissions rules in the years ahead.
An HMM representative emphasized that the delivery of HMM Green aligns with the company’s strategic goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. They reaffirmed HMM’s commitment to continually exploring alternative fuel options to strengthen its competitive edge.
HMM Green will enter service on the company’s FIM route, which connects Far East Asia with India and the Mediterranean Sea, reinforcing its role in sustainable global trade.
