NEWS

HD Hyundai successfully built the world’s first methanol-powered mega container vessel, opening up new horizons in the eco-friendly ship market.

On January 26, HD Hyundai held the launching ceremony of a 16,200 TEU methanol-powered ultra-large container ship at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyards in Ulsan.

The ship is 351 meters long, 54 meters wide, and 33 meters high, and represents the first of 18 mega container ships ordered by the global shipping group AP Moller-Maersk.

About 100 dignitaries, including HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun, HHI Presidents Lee Sang-kyun and Noh Jin-yul, and Maersk Chairman Robert Mærsk Uggla, attended the momentous event and celebrated the birth of the new landmark ship. 

The first methanol-abled mega container ship was named ‘Ane Maersk’ after Ane Maersk Mc-Kinney Uggla, the Chair of the AP Moller Holdings and mother of Chairman Robert Maersk Uggla. 

In particular, it is the first mega container vessel to place the cabin at the bow, the very front of the ship, thereby enhancing cargo loading efficiency and operational visibility at the same time.

After the ceremony, Vice Chairman Chung Kisun and Chairman Robert Maersk toured the cabin and engine room and wished Ane Maersk a safe journey.   

HD Hyundai has declared “A New Era of Shipping” in September last year, delivering the world’s first 2,100 TEU methanol-powered container ship. Vice Chairman Chung also met Chairman Robert Musk Uggla on January 15 at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss ways to facilitate decarbonization and consolidate mutual cooperation on green ships.

At the ceremony, Lee Sang-kyun, President and CEO of HHI, said, “Both companies are bring forward the earth’s Green Ocean Era’ based on about 40-year partnership,” and added, “We will lead the innovation in the future ship market with ultra-gap eco-friendly technology.” 

Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk, said, “Ane Maersk built by HD Hyundai will mark a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to achieve our industry-leading climate ambitions."