By Mike Schuler, gCaptain
Hanwha Shipping, a unit of South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group, announced today it has ordered a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier from Hanwha Philly Shipyard, marking the first U.S.-ordered, export-market-viable LNG carrier in almost 50 years.
This order, which includes an option for an additional vessel, represents a significant milestone in America’s shipbuilding and maritime resurgence.
“We’re excited to leverage Hanwha’s world-class shipbuilding prowess to equip American industrial partners with the skills to construct next-generation LNG carriers for the first time in nearly five decades,” said Ryan Lynch, President & CEO of Houston-based Hanwha Shipping.
According to Hanwha, the project will use a joint-build model, with Hanwha Philly Shipyard signing the primary shipbuilding contract and executing it in partnership with Hanwha Ocean. While a “significant portion” of construction will occur at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard in Korea, Hanwha Philly Shipyard will handle U.S. regulatory compliance and safety certifications. Notably, the vessel will not be compliant with the Jones Act, which requires goods transported between two U.S. points to be U.S.-owned, -operated, and -built ships.
“Through this model, Hanwha plans to gradually transfer its advanced shipbuilding technologies to Hanwha Philly Shipyard, enabling the latter to expand into high-value shipbuilding,” Hanwha said in a statement.
The first vessel is anticipated for delivery in the first half of 2028.
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