HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has taken a significant step in the liquefied gas sector with the commercialization of its next-generation LPG Cargo Handling System (CHS), demonstrating its proven performance under real operating conditions.   HD KSOE announced on October 13 that its LPG CHS successfully completed its maiden cargo cycle following the system’s first installation aboard a vessel in August 2025.   The ship loaded propane and butane in Houston, Texas, in mid-September and discharged them in Ecuador in early October, successfully completing the full cargo cycle. The operation was carried out smoothly, validating the system’s reliability and safety in commercial service.   During vessel operation, a portion of the gas inside the tank naturally vaporizes. Through CHS technology, the vaporized gas is reliquefied, preventing gas loss.   The newly commercialized LPG CHS developed by HD KSOE adopts a Direct Fuel Supply System, which returns only part of the reliquefied gas to the tank while supplying the rest directly as fuel for the engine. This configuration maximizes reliquefaction efficiency and minimizes energy loss. It is estimated that HD KSOE’s LPG CHS could achieve about 18 % improvement in reliquefaction efficiency compared to conventional systems.   This innovation improves vessel operating efficiency while ensuring compliance with increasingly stringent IMO environmental regulations. Vibration levels also remained stable throughout the operation, further demonstrating the system’s robustness.   The company secured its first order for the LPG CHS in June 2023 and has since expanded its portfolio to 48 shipsets under contract, reflecting strong demand from shipowners worldwide.   “SeaQuest Marine, with its extensive experience in the gas carrier newbuilding segment and involvement in nearly 100 gas projects, has taken the lead in adopting HD KSOE’s innovative CHS and reliquefaction system,” said Jan Andersson, MD, SeaQuest Marine. “The system combines intelligent design with reliable and robust performance, significantly reducing energy consumption in both DF-mode operation and onboard cargo reliquefaction. Having been implemented on several recent VLGC newbuilding projects, the system has already proven its ability to deliver the anticipated energy savings in real ship operations,” he added.  

▶ 41,000-ton dry cargo and ammunition ship, USNS Alan Shepard of the U.S. 7th Fleet enters port ▶ MRO to be conducted at Yeompo Pier near HD Hyundai Mipo in Ulsan with delivery to the U.S. Navy scheduled by the end of the year ▶ With the merger of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo underway, global naval projects expected to be significantly enhanced ▶ “We will successfully execute MRO operations based on our advanced technologies and expertise”  HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has officially launched its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) project with the U.S. Navy auxiliary ship. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on Tuesday, Sep. 30th that the 41,000-ton U.S. dry cargo and ammunition ship, USNS Alan Shepard, assigned to the 7th Fleet, recently entered Yeompo Pier near HD Hyundai Mipo in Ulsan for a regular overhaul. The USNS Alan Shepard MRO project won by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in early August, measures 210 meters in length, 32 meters in width, and 9.4 meters in height. Full-scale maintenance commenced on the day of arrival including inspections of safety equipment and systems, servicing of various tanks, and checkups of onboard equipment. The vessel is scheduled to be handed over to the U.S. Navy by the end of this year. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has been successfully carrying out MRO projects for global naval ships including the established a logistics support center in the Philippines in 2022 to support MRO operations for vessels delivered to the Philippine Navy. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is currently pursuing a merger with HD Hyundai Mipo, scheduled for completion in December. Following the merger, the company’s MRO capabilities for global warships are expected to be significantly enhanced by utilizing HD Hyundai Mipo’s docks and berths. Joo Won-Ho, Head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Naval & Special Ship Business Unit, stated, "We will successfully execute this MRO project based on our advanced technologies and expertise, and make every effort to ensure the satisfaction of our client, the U.S. Navy."

▶ Discussed strengthening cooperation for the successful operation of IMI Shipyard and Makeen Engine Manufacturing Company, as well as collaboration on naval ship projects ▶ Held a shipbuilding roundtable to establish a local supply chain in Saudi Arabia, which is seeking investment and participation from Korean companies ▶ “Saudi Arabia is a trusted partner with whom we have long-standing cooperation, and we are committed to ensuring the success of the IMI Shipyard." HD Hyundai will expand its comprehensive shipbuilding cooperation with Saudi Arabia. HD Hyundai announced on Thursday, Sep. 25th, that Chung Kisun, Executive Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, held a meeting with H.E. Khalid AlFalih, the Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, at the Banyan Tree Hotel in Seoul. The meeting was held to discuss practical collaboration measures to ensure the successful operation of the joint shipyard and engine plant being established in Saudi Arabia, as well as the development of a local shipbuilding supply chain. The meeting was also attended by Sulaiman M Albabtain, CEO of Sofon, the state-owned shipbuilding holding company responsible for Saudi Arabia’s shipbuilding and offshore businesses, and Joo Won-ho, Head of the Naval & Special Ship Business at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. They also covered ways to enhance mutual cooperation for future naval ship projects. Executive Vice Chairman Chung stated, "Saudi Arabia is a trusted business partner with whom we have had long-standing cooperation. The IMI Shipyard is a symbolic project that demonstrates how HD Hyundai has grown into a company exporting its design expertise in half a century. We will thus devote our utmost efforts to its operation to make it one of the best shipyards.” Following the meeting, a shipbuilding and marine equipment roundtable was held to discuss plans for expanding shipbuilding and establishing a local supply chain within Saudi Arabia. As part of its Vision 2030 project, Saudi Arabia is focusing on strengthening its shipbuilding industry and is seeking investment and participation from Korean companies. In this regard, HD Hyundai is currently constructing the IMI Shipyard and Makeen engine manufacturing company within the King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries in Al Jubail, eastern Saudi Arabia, with full operations scheduled for 2026 and 2027, respectively. Once completed, the shipyard and engine plant are expected to have three large docks, four Goliath cranes, and seven berths, enabling it to construct up to 40 vessels annually.