SEOUL, Nov. 21 (Yonhap) — HMM Co., South Korea’s top container shipper, said Thursday it has adopted a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled container ship for the first time in the country as part of efforts to achieve carbon neutrality.
HMM adopted two carriers, named HMM Ocean and HMM Sky, which use LNG and traditional fuels together, to operate on the route connecting the Mediterranean and East Asia for up to 14 years starting in 2025, according to company officials.
The new carriers can reduce carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by 30 percent and 85 percent, respectively.
They can also reduce sulfur oxides and fine dust both by 99 percent.
The global shipping industry has been pushing for a transition to the operation of eco-friendly vessels, such as carriers fueled by LNG, methanol and ammonia, to respond to regulations on carbon emissions.
HMM also placed an order for nine methanol-powered ships last year and plans to invest 14.4 trillion won (US$10.3 billion) by 2030 into bolstering its eco-friendly management strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.
This photo shows the naming ceremony of two new liquefied natural gas container ships for HMM Co. in the southeastern port city of Busan on Nov. 21, 2024. (Yonhap)
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