Hyundai Samho bags 12 methanol-fuelled boxships order

Hyundai Samho in South Korea has announced a $2.05bn order for 12 methanol-propelled large boxships – all due for delivery by the end of 2026.

The yard did not reveal the identity of the owner, with Splash tipping CMA CGM and Maersk as likely repeat customers for this comparatively new method of propulsion.

Analysis from class society DNV shows methanol was the second most popular alternative fuel choice for newbuild orders last year after LNG, with 35 ships ordered, bringing the total count to 82 ships.

Meanwhile, rival yard Samsung Heavy Industries said it had won a $495m order to build two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers for an unnamed Oceanian shipper.

Samsung Heavy said in a regulatory filing that it will deliver the vessels by the start of 2027 with Korea’s top yards increasingly full for the coming three years with container and LNG orders and little room for bulker and tanker owners to order there.