LNG Carrier
Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI) constructed a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier worth more than 200 billion won (US$186.4 million) on land for the first time. The on-land construction has previously only been possible for bulk carriers and container ships.
According to sources in the shipbuilding industry on October 7, HSHI recently won an order for LNG tankers from Golar LNG. After the construction on land, the ship was pulled out to a floating dock. It is a 162,000 cbm LNG carrier that is 289 meters long, 45.6 meters wide, and 26 meters deep. It weighs 34,000 tons.
After structural steel cutting in March 2013, and the placement of the first block on the on-land construction site in July, most of the construction works, including a cargo hold, engines, propellers, and outer walls, were finalized on land. The ship is due to be delivered by the end of July 2014, following two test runs.
Since the land-based construction site was built in May 2008, the Korean ship builder has accumulated technical skills while constructing 50 LNG tankers in total. The project began after the meticulous review of technology for stability.
HSHI plans to construct 10 more LNG tankers using this land-based method.