HD Hyundai Set to Supply Methanol-Powered Engines to a Japanese Shipbuilding Company

South Korean company HD Hyundai Co. has achieved a significant milestone in the development of methanol-powered engines by supplying its first HiMSEN engine using methanol fuel to a Japanese shipbuilder. This marks a substantial step forward in the pursuit of environmentally friendly fuel solutions for the maritime industry.

Recent reports from industry sources reveal that HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Engine Machinery Business Unit has inked a contract with Tsuneishi Shipbuilding to provide the HiMSEN engine (8H32DF-LM), designed to operate on methanol as a dual fuel, along with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device for nitrogen oxide emissions control, as a comprehensive package.

These state-of-the-art engines will find their application in a total of four container ships, each with a capacity of 5,800 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). The delivery of these engines is scheduled for January 2025 at Tsuneishi shipyard. The HiMSEN engine is a formidable 5,400-horsepower power generator engine with the unique capability to selectively utilize methanol and diesel fuel, offering operational flexibility and efficiency.

It's noteworthy that HD Hyundai is not limiting the distribution of the HiMSEN engine to South Korea alone but has expanded its reach to markets in China, Japan, and Europe. Among these markets, the methanol powered HiMSEN engine has garnered significant interest, with orders placed for a total of 177 units destined for 42 ships. The inaugural methanol powered HiMSEN engine was installed on the 2,100 TEU container ship named "Laura Maersk." This vessel was constructed by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, a subsidiary of Hyundai specializing in medium-sized shipbuilding, in response to an order from Maersk.

An HD Hyundai source highlighted the HiMSEN engine's market position, stating, "In the market for medium-sized engines for ships, HiMSEN engines currently command a 28% share of the global market." This strong market presence reflects the engine's reliability and performance. As the demand for environmentally friendly ships continues to grow, HD Hyundai anticipates an increasing number of orders for HiMSEN dual-fuel engines, which represent the future of sustainable propulsion technology.

HD Hyundai's achievement of supplying its first HiMSEN engine using methanol fuel to a Japanese shipbuilder is a notable milestone in the maritime industry's pursuit of environmentally friendly and sustainable fuel solutions. The partnership between HD Hyundai and Tsuneishi Shipbuilding demonstrates the commitment to advancing cleaner propulsion technologies in the shipping sector. With the dual-fuel capability and increasing demand for eco-friendly vessels, HiMSEN engines are positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of maritime transportation, reducing emissions, and contributing to a more sustainable maritime industry.