Eco-friendly Tankers
Sungdong Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (SUNGDONG, CEO Jung Kwang-suk) announced on Oct. 7 that it signed a 240 billion won (US$223 million) contract with a Greek shipper to build four tankers, including two as options, with a combined capacity of 115,000 tons.
This type of tanker is called AFRA MAX, or average freight rate assessment maximum, because it has the ideal size in view of freight charge, tonnage value, and other factors.
SUNGDONG, which designs all of the ships it builds on its own, has consistently worked on eco-friendly ships by developing fuel-efficient ship models, optimized propellers, and energy-saving equipment for large-size tankers and bulkers. The ships pertaining to the new contract are also expected to adopt optimum design and green ultra-long stroke engines for fuel savings of approximately 10 percent.
In 2014 alone, the shipbuilder concluded contracts for 32 ships worth US$1.6 billion in total to cement its presence in the merchant ship market.