HD Hyundai Heavy and EXMAR name world’s first two ammonia-fueled gas tankers

Photo: EXMAR

EXMAR has marked a landmark milestone with the namings of the world’s first ocean-going ammonia dual fuel mid-size gas carriers (MGC), the culmination of ajoint development program initiated more than three-and-a-half years ago with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

The 46,000-cubic-meter capacity vessels, named Antwerpen and Arlon, each have 45,000-cubic-meter cargo tanks and two 500-cubic-meter deck tanks and were purpose-built in close cooperation with the yard. An extension of the vessel’s length by 10 meters (appx. 33 feet) and a slight increase in beam achieved a meaningfully higher cargo intake compared to the standard design.

EXMAR says that the safety of seafarers is its top priority. The vessel’s design reflects extensive collaboration through workshops, risk assessments, and rigorous technical reviews, supported by input from EXMAR’s experienced seafarers with decades of ammonia cargo expertise.

Working closely with Lloyd’s Register and the flag administration, EXMAR actively contributed to advancing the IMO regulatory framework, enabling guidelines for the use of ammonia as fuel on gas carriers—a critical step for the entire industry.

The ammonia dual fuel technology enables CO2 emission reductions of up to 90% during navigation. The ability to use cargo as fuel represents significant operational flexibility and environmental advantage.

The vessels are the product of a multi-partner development program involving HD Hyundai, HHI-EMD, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, WinGD, Lloyd’s Register, and EXMAR. Propulsion systems have undergone extensive testing at HD Hyundai’s facilities over a significant number of operating hours.

About 70 officials and employees attended the naming event, including Joo Won-ho, president and head of HHI’s Naval & Special Ship Business Unit; Nicolas Saverys, chairman of Exmar; and H. E. Bruno Jans, Belgium’s ambassador to South Korea.

The vessels are scheduled to be delivered to the shipowner in May and late July, respectively, following final outfitting.

The vessels feature a shaft generator, which produces electricity using the propulsion engine’s rotating shaft, and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, further enhancing their environmental performance.

“It is very meaningful for us to have built the world’s first ammonia-powered vessel, which requires advanced technical expertise. We will continue to strengthen our leadership in the global eco-friendly ship market through ongoing technological innovation,” said Joo Won-ho, head of HHI’s Naval & Special Ship Business Unit.

HHI has secured orders for a total of eight ammonia-powered vessels from companies, including EXMAR and Trafigura. The company has also led the next-generation eco-friendly fuel ship market, having delivered the world’s first methanol-powered petrochemical product carrier in 2016 and the world’s first methanol-powered container ship in 2023.