HD KSOE taps GTT for tank design of 12 CMA CGM’s LNG-fueled vessels

French LNG containment specialist GTT has received two orders from its Korean partner HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) to design the cryogenic fuel tanks for 12 new LNG-fueled container vessels on behalf of French shipping major CMA CGM.

Under these new orders, received in July 2024, HD KSOE’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and HD Hyundai Samho (HSHI) will each build six container ships.

Each ship will offer a capacity of 15,500 TEU and integrate LNG tanks with a total volume of 12,700 cbm. The tanks will incorporate the Mark III Flex membrane containment system developed by GTT.

Deliveries are scheduled between the second quarter of 2027 and the second quarter of 2028.

According to GTT, using LNG as fuel ensures compliance with regulations on emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, CO2 and particulate matter. For instance, GTT estimates that choosing LNG to power a large 15,000-container ship saves around 25,000 tonnes of CO2 per year compared with heavy fuel oil propulsion.

Jean-Baptiste Choimet, CEO of GTT, stated: “These orders underscore CMA CGM’s confidence in our solutions for sustainable maritime transport and highlight the relevance of our membrane technology in the current energy transition. We are proud to contribute to the decarbonisation of global maritime transport and to further strengthen our successful relationship with CMA CGM and HD KSOE.”

Xavier Leclercq, Vice President and Head of CMA Ships, said: “We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with GTT and HD KSOE on these groundbreaking LNG-fuelled container ships. This project underscores our commitment to pioneering sustainable maritime solutions and reducing our environmental footprint. The integration of GTT’s advanced membrane technology in our new vessels is a significant step towards achieving our decarbonization goals and setting new standards in the industry.”

Bumwoo Han, Vice President of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, noted: “We are delighted to collaborate once again with GTT and CMA CGM on these innovative vessels. Our advanced shipbuilding expertise combined with GTT’s state-of-the-art technology will ensure these new-generation container ships meet the highest standards of efficiency and environmental performance.”

At the beginning of 2024, GTT received another order from HD KSOE. The Korean company tapped GTT for the tank design of two LNG carriers (LNGCs) and a very large ethane carrier (VLEC).

The LNGCs will be built by Hyundai Samho for the Nakilat company, with deliveries scheduled for 2026 and 2027. As for the VLEC, the vessel will be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries on behalf of Purus Maritime, with the delivery scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.