HMM held a naming ceremony for a 24,000 TEU-class containership ‘HMM Algeciras’, the world’s largest containership, at the DSME (Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering)’s Okpo shipyard in Geoje, Korea.

About 160 distinguished persons attended the ceremony, including Moon Jae-in (President of the Republic of Korea), Hong Nam-ki (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance), Moon Seong-hyeok (Minister of Oceans and Fisheries), Eun Sung-soo (Chairman of Financial Services Commission), Lee Dong Gull (Chairman and CEO of Korea Development Bank), Hwang Ho-seon (President of Korea Ocean Business Corporation) and Bae Jae Hoon (President and CEO of HMM).

In particular, First Lady Kim Jung-sook served as godmother who cut the ropes to officially name the ship during the ceremony.

‘HMM Algeciras’ is the first of twelve 24,000 TEU-class vessels scheduled to be sequentially delivered until September, 2020.

In September 2018, HMM signed a formal contract for its twenty eco-friendly mega container vessels with three shipyards – DSME, HHI(Hyundai Heavy Industries) and SHI(Samsung Heavy Industries) in an effort to take proactive actions towards market change as well as form a sustainable profit-generating structure.

DSME and SHI build seven and five 24,000 TEU-class containerships, respectively, which are expected for delivery until September, 2020. HHI constructs eight 16,000 TEU-class containerships to be delivered from the second quarter of 2021.

HMM plans to enhance its environmental capabilities by operating newly-launched twenty containerships. The vessels are basically equipped with a scrubber system in preparation for IMO 2020 environmental regulation. Optimised hull design and highly-efficient engine are also expected to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

“For me, it is very meaningful that HMM takes delivery of the most technologically advanced containership in this difficult time. I would like to celebrate it and hope that HMM continues to secure a competitive advantage as a Korean national flagship carrier.”, says Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea.

“HMM will strive to expand its presence in the global shipping industry based on optimised fleet management and new cooperation with THE Alliance.” adds Bae Jae Hoon, President & CEO of HMM.

‘HMM Algeciras’ will be deployed on Far East Europe 4 (FE4) service, one of the Asia-North Europe trade lanes of THE Alliance, with its port rotation starting at Qingdao, Busan, Ningbo, Shanghai, Yantian, Suez Canal, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, London Gateway, then Singapore via Suez Canal.

Vessel Particulars of HMM Algeciras

LOA : approx. 399.9m

Beam : 61.0m

Depth : 33.2m

Capacity : 23,964 TEU

Flag : Panama

[Photo 1] First Lady Kim Jung-sook(In the middle) is cutting the ropes

[Photo 2] [From middle to right] Moon Jae-in (President of the Republic of Korea),

Kim Jung-sook (First Lady), Bae Jae Hoon (President and CEO of HMM)