HMM Launches Mega-Ship Ordering Spree

South Korean shipping company Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has embarked on ordering mega containerships.

HMM plans to order a total of 20 mega-vessels, including twelve above 20,000 TEU and eight 14,000 TEU vessels which are considered to deploy in the Asia-North Europe and US East coast trades respectively.

“Considering the factors including the recent increase in new shipbuilding price and dock availability, HMM will start a selection of shipyards by sending out its Request for Proposal (RFP) to shipbuilding companies on April 10,” the company said.

In order to make the ships compliant with the IMO’s Sulfur Cap, HMM said it would consider fitting the ships with scrubbers or LNG-fuelled engines. The decision would be made following discussions with shipbuilders in the race to build the ships.

“If the shipbuilding process proceeds smoothly followed by the selection of the shipbuilder, signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) and finalizing its contract, all the new vessels will be sequentially delivered in the right time to prepare for the 2020 environmental regulations,” HMM added.