[Offshore Energy/ January 22, 2024] South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean secured its first order for 2024 with an agreement to build two 93,000 cbm ultra-large ammonia carriers equipped with eco-friendly technology.

The vessels, valued at approximately KRW 331.2 billion ($247 million), were commissioned by an unnamed shipowner in the Oceania region, marking the seventh such order in the past two months.

The ordered ammonia carriers, capable of transporting 93,000 cbm of ammonia, will incorporate Hanwha Ocean’s eco-friendly technologies, including the Hanwha SmartShip Solution & Service (HS4) smart ship platform and the shaft generator motor (SGM). The construction of these carriers will take place at the company’s Geoje plant, with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2027.

A spokesperson from Hanwha Ocean attributed the consistent influx of orders for eco-friendly carriers to market confidence in the company’s technology. He voiced Hanwha Ocean’s commitment to establishing a benchmark for advanced eco-friendly shipbuilding technology through ongoing technological advancements.

Hanwha Ocean is actively pursuing the development of alternative fuels and eco-friendly technologies, aiming to progressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve the commercialization of carbon-free ships, exploring propulsion options such as ammonia, direct hydrogen, and hydrogen fuel cells.