HD Hyundai teams up with Maersk for decarbonization

HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun, right, poses with Maersk Chairman Robert Maersk Uggla after signing a memorandum of understanding to establish a comprehensive partnership in the fields of decarbonized shipping technology and integrated logistics services at HD Hyundai's R&D center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, in this handout photo released Tuesday. Courtesy of HD Hyundai

HD Hyundai will team up with shipping giant Maersk in a comprehensive partnership focused on decarbonized shipping technology and integrated logistics services, the shipbuilder said Tuesday.

According to HD Hyundai, Executive Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun and Maersk Chairman Robert Maersk Uggla recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the company’s R&D center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.

Under the agreement, Maersk will apply HD Hyundai's advanced ship decarbonization technologies to its fleet to reduce carbon emissions, while HD Hyundai will apply Maersk’s integrated logistics services across its subsidiaries to strengthen its global supply chain.

As part of the partnership, the two companies will apply advanced navigation and decarbonization solutions to the Maersk container ships built and delivered by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. For this, Avikus, a subsidiary of HD Hyundai, will provide its advanced navigation solution HiNAS, and HD Hyundai Marine Solutions will supply its artificial intelligence decarbonization and economic operation solution OceanWise.

The solutions will undergo a six-month pilot program to verify their fuel-saving and carbon-reduction effects, HD Hyundai said.

The two sides further plan to explore cooperation in the field of ship retrofitting for decarbonization, including optimizing engine efficiency, increasing container ship cargo capacity and applying dual-fuel propulsion systems. They will also assess the feasibility of the solid oxide fuel cell system in cooperation with HD Hydrogen, a recently established subsidiary of HD Hyundai.

Under the agreement, HD Hyundai will strengthen its global supply chain by leveraging Maersk’s integrated logistics services. This includes expanding ocean freight volumes supported by Maersk’s network and utilizing Maersk’s capabilities across airfreight services and land transportation, as well as warehousing infrastructure.

“Our collaboration with Maersk will serve as a leading example of innovation in the global logistics market by combining decarbonization shipping technologies with integrated logistics networks,” Chung said.

“Under the goal of building a sustainable maritime logistics network that ensures safety, low emissions and optimal efficiency, we will solidify our technological prowess.”

“This MOU marks an important milestone, reinforcing the strong relationship we have developed and paving the way for even greater collaboration in the future,” Uggla said.

Since 2021, HD Hyundai has won orders for a total of 19 methanol-propelled container ships from Maersk. Last year, the company successfully delivered the world’s first methanol-powered ultra-large container ship.