Ulsan: HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering Co. (HD KSOE) announced on Thursday that it has successfully secured a substantial order valued at 3.72 trillion won (US$2.59 billion) to construct 12 liquefied natural gas (LNG) container ships.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the order was placed by an undisclosed European shipping company, although industry insiders speculate that the client may be France's CMA CGM, a leading player in the global shipping industry. The ultra-large container ships, each boasting a capacity of 18,000 twenty-foot equivalent units, will be constructed at the Ulsan shipyard, operated by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co.
This significant contract represents HD KSOE's first order for the year 2025, with the delivery of the vessels scheduled for December 2028. The company has set an ambitious target for 2025, aiming for $18.05 billion in shipbuilding orders, marking a 34 percent increase from the previous year's goal of $13.5 billion.