HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Lands New Order to Overhaul U.S Navy Ship

The USNS Richard E. Byrd, a 41,000-ton class cargo resupply ship assigned to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet is undergoing an MRO at the Ulsan shipyard of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries on April 6.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has won another MRO order from the U.S. Navy.

The Koren shipbuilding industry has already won three MRO contracts from the U.S. Navy so far this year, nearly approaching last year’s annual performance.

Industry sources said on April 19 HD Hyundai Heavy Industries landed an order to conduct a regular overhaul on the USNS Richard E. Byrd, a 41,000-ton class cargo resupply ship assigned to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet.

The winning of the latest contract came about four months since the shipbuilder secured the company’s first MRO contract on the USNS Cesar Chavez last December.

The USNS Richard E. Byrd, measuring 210 meters in length, 32 meters in width, and 9.4 meters in height, was commissioned in 2008.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will conduct a precision haul on 100 categories, including hull, structure, propulsion, and electrical system starting this month and deliver the ship to the U.S. Navy.

HD Hyundai Group Chmn. Chung Ki-sun shakes hands with U.S. Navy Chief of Staff Daryl Caudle after looking around the Ulsan shipyard of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and listening to an explanation of a ship now under construction last Nov. 15. (Photos: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries)

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Participates in SAS 2026 as 1st Korean Exhibitor

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries participated in the Sea-Air-Space Exposition (SAS 2026), which took place in Washington, D.C., from April 19 top 22.

SAS 2026, the largest U.S. maritime defense exhibition, was attended by more than 430 defense corporations from 57 countries.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries set up a joint 150-square-meter pavilion with LIG Defense & Aerospace (LIG D&A). This is the first time that a Korean corporate exhibition has been participating in the exhibition.

The pavilion showcased models of state-of-the-art EGIS destroyers and frigates, next-generation combat ships, and logistics support ships.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ participation was aimed at the U.S. Navy.

The company demonstrated unrivaled warship-building capabilities and advanced unmanned systems technology as a partner to support the Navy’s next-generation maritime defense strategies.

The company said it emphasized that it is the optimal global partner to resolve fleet recapitalization issues and support manned-unmanned teamed combat systems.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Builds World’s First Ammonia-Powered Vessel

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) said it has built the world’s first ammonia-powered vessel and held a naming ceremony for two such ships at its Ulsan shipyard.

A ceremony on March 9 marked the naming of two 46,000-cubic-meter mid-sized gas carriers equipped with dual-fuel (DF) engines.

About 70 officials and employees attended the event, including Joo Won-ho, 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 two vessels were named “Antwerpen” and “Arlon,” after cities in Belgium.

They are the first and second of four ammonia-powered mid-sized gas carriers ordered by Exmar LPG France, a subsidiary of Belgian shipping company Exmar, in 2023 and 2024.

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

The vessels measure 190 meters in length, 30.4 meters in width and 18.8 meters in height, and are equipped with three cargo tanks designed and built using HHI’s proprietary technology, enabling the safe transport of liquefied gas cargoes such as ammonia and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

They also 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.

The vessels are also equipped with advanced detection and mitigation systems, including an ammonia gas detector for real-time leak monitoring and an ammonia purge recovery unit, ensuring a high level of safety.

Ammonia (NH3), an eco-friendly, carbon-free fuel, can be stored in pressurized tanks at around 8 bar or in refrigerated tanks at -33°C without the need for cryogenic technology.

In liquid form, it has about 1.7 times higher storage density than liquefied hydrogen (-253°C) at the same volume, making it suitable for large-scale, long-distance transport and storage of hydrogen.

A net-zero roadmap released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that ammonia will account for 8% of marine fuel demand in 2030, rising to 46% by 2050, indicating that demand for ammonia-powered vessels is expected to grow significantly.

“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.