{
  "id": 10535526,
  "title": "South Korea widens LNG carrier lead as HD Hyundai Samho debuts three-tank ship",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/south-korea-widens-lng-carrier-lead-as-hd-hyundai-samho-debuts-three",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-28T21:00:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hellenic Shipping News",
    "slug": "hellenic-shipping-news",
    "url": "https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/south-korea-widens-lng-carrier-lead-as-hd-hyundai-samho-debuts-three-tank-ship/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Korea is intensifying its efforts to widen the technology gap with China in liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, according to a recent report. The industry highlights that HD Hyundai Samho, a subsidiary of HD Hyundai, is currently constructing a 177,000-cubic-meter LNG carrier at the Yeongam shipyard in South Jeolla, featuring three cargo tanks. This vessel is notable as it boasts a 3,000-cubic-meter increase in loading capacity compared to a standard LNG carrier with four tanks. HD Hyundai Samho's design optimizes space by reducing non-cargo structures and equipment between tanks, resulting in up to a 55% expansion in the length of each cargo tank. This innovative approach addresses the challenge of \"sloshing,\" which occurs when LNG moves within a single tank, potentially damaging the cargo tank system. By eliminating one cargo tank, the vessel not only boosts transport efficiency but also reduces construction costs, potentially offsetting Korean shipbuilders' price disadvantages against Chinese competitors. The Korea Maritime and Ocean University's professor Ryu Min-cheol notes that building three cargo tanks may pose higher pressures, but HD Hyundai has reportedly developed a safe construction method. The ship's smaller surface area due to fewer tanks could further reduce material costs, benefiting Korean shipyards. The South Korean government has identified localizing LNG cargo tanks as a key project to enhance shipbuilding profitability by cutting expenses related to royalties paid to French technology provider GTT.",
  "summary": "Korea’s shipbuilding industry is accelerating efforts to widen the technology gap with China in liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. LNG carriers are a representative high value-added vessel, and Korean shipbuilders with advanced technology lead the global market, but Chinese companies have been catching up quickly in recent years. On the 28th, the shipbuilding industry said ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hellenic Shipping News",
        "title": "South Korea fully secures August crude needs with US, Mediterranean, Oceania supplies",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/south-korea-fully-secures-august-crude-needs-with-us-mediterranean",
        "published": "2026-09-28T21:00:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}