Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) marked a significant achievement with the delivery and naming ceremony of its latest addition, the 13,000 TEU containership, HMM Garnet, held at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries headquarters in Ulsan, Korea.
HMM had inked a formal contract in June 2021 with Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for the construction of twelve 13,000 TEU containerships, with six vessels each. The recently unveiled HMM Garnet proudly stands as the inaugural vessel among this impressive fleet.
The key focus of this ambitious venture is to bolster HMM’s environmental capabilities. All twelve containerships, including HMM Garnet, are designed to be LNG-ready. Furthermore, advanced energy-saving technologies have been integrated to enhance fuel efficiency and mitigate pollutant emissions, aligning with HMM’s commitment to sustainability.
A notable feature of these vessels is the incorporation of the latest smart ship solution. Operational data from each ship will be transmitted in real-time to HMM’s Fleet Control Center, ensuring comprehensive visibility and control over the entire fleet.
Kim Kyung Bae, President and CEO of HMM, expressed optimism about the impact of these new additions, stating, “We expect our new ships to give us strong environmental credentials and to provide us with the capacity and flexibility in the face of growing competition in the global market.”
Starting this February, HMM Garnet will be deployed on the East Coast 1 (EC1) route as part of THE Alliance’s product plan. The port rotation for this route includes Kaohsiung, Xiamen, Yantian, Shanghai, Ningbo, Busan, Yantian, New York, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, and Singapore.
Upon the completion of the delivery of all twelve 13,000 TEU ships by the end of this year, HMM’s total fleet capacity is projected to reach a remarkable 1 million TEUs. Of particular significance is the fact that large containerships exceeding 10,000 TEU will constitute 80% of HMM’s entire fleet, contributing to improved cost structures and operational efficiency.
In a unique and symbolic touch, the twelve vessels will bear names inspired by birthstones, ranging from January to December. This concept reflects HMM’s commitment to treating its customers’ cargo as valuable as jewelry.
As HMM continues to strengthen its foothold in the global maritime market, the arrival of HMM Garnet signals a promising era of enhanced environmental stewardship and operational excellence for the renowned shipping company.
