The South Korean company has ordered two 13,000 teu container ships from HD Hyundai, marking a decisive step towards the expansion of its fleet
Seoul – The shipping company Korea Maritime Transport Co (Kmyc) has been indicated as the buyer of two new neo-panamax container ships ordered from Hd Korea Shipbuilding& Offshore Engineering (Hd Ksoe), for a total value of approximately 294 million dollars. Although Hd Ksoe spoke generically of an Asian client, industry sources have confirmed that it is indeed Kmtc.
According to what emerged in August, Kmtc had expressed its intention to purchase two ships with an option for two more. The new 13,000 teu vessels, the largest ever owned by the company (which currently operates ships up to 8,000 teu), will be built by Hd Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan and delivered in the first half of 2028.
Although the price of 147 million dollars per ship suggests they will run on conventional marine fuels, the choice of these ships would meet the need to align with partners Pacific International Lines and Regional Container Lines, which are already active with container ships of this size.
The new ships could operate on routes between the Far East and the Middle East, India, or even the United States, where Kmtc recently returned after 40 years, thanks to a joint service with SeaLead Shipping and TS Lines.
With this order, Kmtc’s order portfolio rises to four ships, including two 8,700 teu units already under construction at Hd Hyundai Samho, with delivery expected by March 2027.
Hd Ksoe, which controls Hd Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samho and Mipo, has already reached 65% of its annual order target, totaling 11.75 billion dollars so far for 86 new builds.
