First LNG-fueled Aframax Tankers Ordered

Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipbuilding affiliate Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI) said it recently won a $240 million order to build four 114,000 DWT Ice-Class IA aframax tankers from Sovcomflot, the Russia’s state-owned shipping company.

The vessels are said to be the world’s first LNG-fueled aframax tankers, and will measure 250 meters in length, 44 meters in width and 21 meters in height. They are scheduled to be delivered from the third quarter of 2018 and to be chartered to Shell.

By running on LNG, the Ice-Class IA tankers can emit 90 percent less sulfur oxides (SOx), 80 percent less nitrogen oxides (NOx), 15 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) along with 50 percent reduced engine noise, according to the shipbuilder.

An HSHI official said, “We believe the winning of the world’s first LNG-fueled aframax tankers is the proof of our world’s leading eco-friendly shipbuilding technology. As the demand for eco-ships increases with tightening environmental regulations, we will further accelerate our efforts to win eco-ship orders.”

Since its first order of six 41,000 DWT bulk carriers in 1989, Sovcomflot has ordered 65 ships from HHI Group in total to date.