Hanwha Ocean announced that it delivered the 200th liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, the Lebrethah, to SK Shipping on the 20th, according to Chosun Biz.
The Lebrethah is scheduled to be deployed and operated in Qatar Energy’s North Field Expansion Project, managed by KGL (Korea Green LNG Ltd), a consortium of three domestic companies including SK Shipping, H-Line Shipping, and Pan Ocean.
The Lebrethah features a low-pressure dual-fuel propulsion engine (ME-GA) and re-liquefaction systems, making it an eco-friendly vessel that significantly reduces emissions of air pollutants. Hanwha Ocean’s smart ship solution, HS4, among others, has been applied for efficient vessel operation.
The Lebrethah is the 200th LNG carrier delivered by Hanwha Ocean, 30 years after the delivery of its first LNG carrier in 1995. Hanwha Ocean delivered its 100th LNG carrier in 2016 and has since constructed and delivered another 100 LNG carriers in just nine years.
Hanwha Ocean noted that it took 21 years to construct its 100th LNG carrier, while the subsequent 100 carriers were built in only nine years, attributing this to the establishment of a technical system.
Hanwha Ocean explained that it established a technical system to simultaneously construct four vessels in Dock 1, securing a capacity to build 25 LNG carriers annually.
Based on this technological framework, Hanwha Ocean has delivered the world’s first 200th LNG carrier and demonstrated unparalleled competitiveness in the global LNG carrier market through technological prowess and productivity innovation.
Kim Jong-seo, head of Hanwha Ocean’s merchant shipping division, said, “With the changes in fossil fuel policies in the United States, the importance of LNG in the global energy market is becoming more pronounced,” and added, “I am confident that Hanwha Ocean, which possesses overwhelming technological capabilities, will be the best shipyard to meet the demands of global shipowners.”