LNG-ready HMM Pearl joins HMM’s 13,000 TEU boxship fleet

South Korean shipping company HMM has welcomed a new LNG-ready 13,000 TEU containership built by compatriot HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

On July 30, HMM said the newbuild containership HMM Pearl was ready to set sail.

The 335-meter-long vessel is the sixth of twelve 13,000 TEU containerships ordered by the Korean shipping player at Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2021. Each shipyard is building six vessels.

The first unit from this series, HMM Garnet, built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries was delivered in January 2024. Just recently, Hanwha Ocean delivered HMM Ruby.

The vessels are equipped with advanced energy-saving technologies that are expected to increase fuel efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions. The ships come with LNG-ready structures for potential conversion to LNG propulsion.

When the delivery of twelve 13,000 TEU ships is completed this year, HMM’s fleet capacity is forecast to reach a total of 1 million TEUs. In particular, large containerships of more than 10,000 TEU will account for 80% of the shipowner’s entire fleet, enhancing cost structure and operational efficiency.