HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the shipbuilding holding unit of HD Hyundai, has secured its first order of the year, signing a major contract for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers as demand for high-value vessels remains strong.
The company said it recently signed a contract with an Americas-based shipowner to build four very large LNG carriers, with a total contract value of $1.5 billion. The order was disclosed on Monday.
The vessels will each have a capacity of 200,000 cubic meters, significantly larger than standard 174,000-cubic-meter LNG carriers, allowing for greater cargo volumes and lower transportation costs per unit. Each ship will measure 294.8 meters in length, 48.9 meters in width, and 26.7 meters in height.
Construction will take place at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipyard in Ulsan, with deliveries scheduled sequentially through the first half of 2029, the company said.
The LNG carriers will be equipped with advanced technologies, including high-efficiency shaft generators and LNG re-liquefaction systems, designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce operating costs.
Separately, HD Korea Shipbuilding said its affiliate HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has delivered a 22,000-cubic-meter liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO₂) carrier to Greece-based Capital Clean Energy Carriers.
The vessel, named ACTIVE, is the first to be delivered among four LCO₂ carriers ordered in 2023 and 2024. Measuring 159.9 meters in length, 27.4 meters in width, and 17.8 meters in height, the ship is equipped with three cargo tanks capable of maintaining temperatures as low as minus 55 degrees Celsius.
The vessel is designed to transport a range of liquefied gases, including liquefied carbon dioxide, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and ammonia, supporting emerging carbon capture and storage (CCS) and clean energy supply chains.
It also features shore power connectivity, nitrogen oxide reduction systems, and ice-class design technology, enhancing both environmental performance and navigational safety.
“Demand for environmentally friendly vessels is expected to continue expanding,” an HD Korea Shipbuilding official said. “We will further strengthen our green technology capabilities while focusing on securing orders for high value-added ships.”
For 2025, HD Korea Shipbuilding has set a shipbuilding and offshore order target of $23.31 billion, up about 29%from last year’s goal.
By subsidiary, targets include $17.75 billion for HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, $4.9 billion for HD Hyundai Samho, and $660 million for HD Hyundai Philippines.
The company said the targets reflect expectations that the global shipbuilding industry is entering a supercycle, driven by energy transition demand and fleet renewal, positioning HD Korea Shipbuilding to sustain growth through increased orders and new business opportunities.
