Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries launches world’s first land built LNG carrier

SAMHO-EUP, South Korea -- Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI), a shipbuilding affiliate of Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s biggest shipbuilder, has successfully launched a 162,000 m3 LNG carrier. The vessel was built using the on-ground shipbuilding method.
 
The vessel, designed for delivering chilled natural gas, was ordered by Golar of Norway in February, 2012. The LNG carrier, measurings 289 m in length, 45.6 m in width, and 26 m in depth, is scheduled to be handed over to the owner by late July 2014 after outfitting and painting work.
 
After about 270 large blocks, LNG containment system, an engine and a propeller are manufactured and assembled in the on-land shipbuilding area, which is equipped with a 1,200-tonne gantry crane, four jib cranes and a floating dock, the assembled LNG carrier is loaded out onto a floating dock by hydraulic skidding. The LNG ship is then launched out by submerging the floating dock.

Though this is the first LNG carrier Hyundai Samho has built using the on-ground method, the company has already built 50 other ships using this method since May 2008.

Since on-ground shipbuilding method allows higher productivity and cost effectiveness, facilitates efficient utilization of yard facilities and resources, and improves the safety of working conditions, Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries plans to build 10 of 12 LNG carriers in its order book using this method.

• Most Read
• Most Commented