South Korea’s HJSC in four methanol-ready ship deal

In The Netherlands, Offshore Energy reports HJ Shipbuilding & Construction signed a $429 million contract with a European shipowner to build four 7,900 TEU methanol-ready containerships, each 272 meters long, at its Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan, with deliveries starting in 2026.

The ships, designed for speed and sustainability, will feature scrubbers to meet International Maritime Organization sulfur emission regulations and be prepped for methanol fuel, allowing for future carbon-neutral operations. The twin-island design separates the living quarters and engine room to optimize fuel efficiency and maximize container capacity.

While HJSC didn’t name the buyer, industry sources suggest Greek shipowner George Economou’s TMS Group is behind the order. The deal follows a similar contract HJSC secured in June for four methanol-ready containerships from another European client.

“This contract was made possible by the combination of our container shipbuilding expertise and eco-friendly technology meeting the needs of the shipowner,” an HJSC official said.

Driven by rising shipping rates and a push to replace aging fleets with greener vessels, the global demand for eco-friendly ships is surging. Clarksons Research notes that newbuild costs for containerships have increased over 30% in the past two years, reflecting the growing focus on sustainable shipping solutions.

More on the story.