Ensuring that containers reach their destinations safely without being lost at sea is a fundamental priority in container shipping. To secure containers weighing tens of tons, workers traditionally use steel rods to manually fasten them in place. This process is known as “lashing.” Because lashing relies on manual labor, there are inherent limitations to how securely containers can be fastened. When a vessel encounters high waves or strong winds, excessive movement can place substantial loads on containers and their securing devices, potentially causing containers to fall overboard. According to the World Shipping Council (WSC), an average of 1,274 containers have been lost at sea annually over the past decade, representing approximately KRW 1 trillion in cargo value. The consequences of container losses extend beyond the loss of cargo itself. Containers floating at sea or submerged just below the surface can collide with passing vessels and damage their hulls. If lost containers carry hazardous materials, their contents may leak into the ocean, causing marine pollution. In addition, lashing is labor-intensive and time-consuming, as workers must manually fasten and release the lashings securing each container. The process also presents safety risks, with workers required to operate on slippery decks and work at heights to secure stacked containers. HD Hyundai has developed an innovative “Lashing-Free” container ship designed to address these challenges. Its defining feature is a redesigned vessel structure that securely holds containers in place without the need for manual lashing. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries was the first in the world to develop the technology, while HD Hyundai Samho recently built and successfully delivered the first vessel featuring the technology to a French shipping company. Extended Cell Guides Eliminate Manual Lashing, Prevent Cargo Losses and Improve Loading Efficiency On conventional container ships, containers are first loaded into cargo holds fitted with structures known as “cell guides.” Designed to accommodate container dimensions, these guides act as rails that keep containers vertically aligned and prevent lateral movement, eliminating the need for additional securing. Once the cargo holds are loaded, hatch covers are put in place, and additional containers are stacked on top and secured using conventional lashing methods. HD Hyundai's Lashing-Free container ship takes a different approach by extending the cell guides from the cargo holds to above deck. Once containers are loaded into these extended guides, the vessel's structure holds them securely in place without the need for manual lashing. This design significantly reduces the risk of containers being lost overboard, even in rough sea conditions, helping prevent cargo losses and associated marine pollution. Integrated into the hull structure, the extended cell guides also enhance structural strength and reduce vibrations during operation. To replace conventional hatch covers, HD Hyundai developed a standardized “Portable Bench” that can be installed between cell guides. This design eliminates the structural discontinuity between the cargo holds and the deck above. HD Hyundai also developed and incorporated a “Twistlock Rooting System” to further improve loading efficiency. The system securely fastens containers stacked above the cell guides. The system uses twistlocks to securely connect containers stacked above the cell guides with those positioned inside them. This allows the interconnected containers to be firmly anchored to the vessel's structure through the cell guides, much like roots extending into the ground. As a result, even containers stacked above the cell guides can be securely held in place without the need for manual lashing. This structural stability also increases the vessel's on-deck cargo carrying capacity by more than 10% compared with conventional vessels of the same type, giving shipowners greater flexibility in cargo stowage planning. Standardized 40-Foot Portable Bench Supports Automated Terminal Operations Conventional hatch covers serve two primary functions: preventing seawater from entering the cargo holds and distributing the weight of containers stacked on deck across the vessel's structure. HD Hyundai's newly developed Portable Bench is designed to fit between cell guides while performing the same functions as a conventional hatch cover. Furthermore, the Portable Bench has the same dimensions as a standard 40-foot container, allowing terminal cranes to handle it in the same manner as ordinary containers during loading and unloading operations. Because no dedicated equipment or specialized handling procedures are required, it is compatible with existing port cargo-handling systems. The Portable Bench is also well suited for use at automated terminals, where cranes perform loading and unloading operations based on standardized container dimensions and positions. As more ports adopt automated systems, these advantages are expected to become increasingly significant. HD Hyundai's Lashing-Free container ship received the IR52 Jang Young-shil Award in January 2026, one of Korea's most prestigious industrial technology awards, presented by the Ministry of Science and ICT and organized by the Korea Industrial Technology Association. The technology was also introduced in 2024 as a representative Korean technology for preventing container losses at sea during the 10th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC). Building on its industry recognition, HD Hyundai has successfully commercialized its Lashing-Free technology with the delivery of the first vessel equipped with the system. By eliminating manual lashing while enhancing safety, loading efficiency and compatibility with automated port operations, the technology could set a new standard for container ship design. HD Hyundai will continue driving technological innovation to enhance vessel safety, cargo loading efficiency and automation, further strengthening its competitiveness in the global shipbuilding market.

▶ New 3MW-class DX77 engine is fired up for the first time... Entering performance and durability verification phase ▶ Durable design engineered for high speed, high output, and long-term operation; Enhanced maintenance convenience ▶ Establishing a 1–3MW-class lineup by 2029… New Gunsan plant to produce up to 1,250 units annually HD Construction Equipment is accelerating the development of a 3MW-class diesel engine for power generation to meet the surging electricity demand from data centers. On the 15th, HD Construction Equipment announced that it recently held an initial start-up ceremony for the DX77 generator engine at its Gunsan campus. The DX77 is a diesel engine with a displacement of 77 liters and a maximum output of 3MW, making it the largest model in the company's engine lineup. Its maximum output is capable of meeting the average power consumption of approximately 7,000 households. Following the completion of the start-up ceremony, the DX77 will enter a comprehensive performance and durability verification phase, with mass production scheduled to begin in 2028.  The DX77 is a high-speed engine that rotates at 1,800 RPM, featuring best-in-class fuel efficiency and power output. Thanks to its high power-to-size ratio, it reduces installation footprint and offers a distinct advantage for modular data centers, where facilities are expanded in phases based on required power capacity. Furthermore, the engine incorporates high-strength, wear-resistant materials and a high-efficiency cooling system to maintain stable performance even during prolonged high-speed operation. Maintenance convenience has also been enhanced by extending the filter replacement interval up to 1,000 hours. Upon the product’s official launch, the company plans to secure customer trust by offering the industry's longest service warranty. HD Construction Equipment is also speeding up the expansion of its 1–3MW engine lineup. The company currently produces the 1MW-class DX22 engine at its Incheon plant. At the new Gunsan plant—set for completion at the end of this month—the company plans to sequentially mass-produce generator engines, beginning with the DX37 (1.5MW-class) in early 2027 and expanding to the DX50 (2MW-class) by 2029 to fully establish its 1–3MW lineup. Targeting the North American market, where demand for on-site power generation is rising due to the expansion of AI data centers and delays in grid connections, HD Construction Equipment also plans to expand its gas engine lineup. The DX77 is designed with scalability for the future in mind, allowing it to adapt to alternative fuels like gas and hydrogen. "The DX77 is a pivotal product that will elevate the competitiveness of our generator engine business to the next level," said Moon Jae-young, CEO of HD Construction Equipment. "Through rigorous performance and durability verification, we will enhance product maturity and capture new growth opportunities in the global power generation market." Meanwhile, amid these market trends, HD Construction Equipment recently signed a contract with ERock, a U.S. power generation infrastructure solutions provider, to supply gas-fired power generation engine long blocks worth approximately KRW 390 billion over two years, starting in 2027.

▶ Lands a KRW 390 billion deal with a U.S. power infrastructure firm to supply gas power generation engine long blocks. ▶ Demonstrates engine technology and reliability for data centers requiring continuous, long-duration operation. ▶ Accelerates expansion into the fast-growing generator market leveraged by its newly built Gunsan engine plant. HD Construction Equipment is enhancing its engine business by participating in a project aimed at providing electricity to data centers. HD Construction Equipment announced on October 7 that it has secured a KRW 390 billion contract with ERock, a U.S. power infrastructure solutions provider, to supply gas power generation engine long blocks. The two-year agreement will run from 2027 to 2028. The ordered products are high-efficiency gas engine long blocks in the 22-liter class. Supplied as a semi-finished engine body without the fuel and ignition systems, it will be used by the customer to manufacture generator sets. These solutions are designed to provide stable power to hyperscale data centers operated by major US tech giants. This contract marks a major milestone for HD Construction Equipment, securing its foothold in the booming North American data center market. By winning this supply agreement for large-scale, continuous-power engine long-blocks, the company capitalizes directly on the AI-driven demand. Industry analysts note that amid a surge in demand for continuous power due to data center grid connection delays, the deal successfully proves the technological capability and reliability of the company's long-block engines required for prolonged operation. HD Construction Equipment plans to aggressively target the power generation engine market for data centers, starting with this recent order. Centered around its new Gunsan engine plant scheduled for completion at the end of this month, HD Construction Equipment will establish a production system for ultra-large power generation engines ranging from 1 to 3 MW. The company aims to meet the demand for high-output power generation engines by sequentially releasing a 37-liter class (1.5 MW) engine in 2027 and a 77-liter class (3 MW) engine in 2028. According to global market research firm Dell'Oro Group, global data center capital expenditure (CAPEX) is projected to surpass a cumulative $3 trillion (approx. KRW 4,000 trillion) by 2030. In line with this trend, Fortune Business Insights expected the global data center generator market to grow at an average annual rate of 8.4%, rising from $10.34 billion (approx. KRW 14 trillion) in 2026 to $19.72 billion (approx. KRW 27 trillion) by 2034. An official from HD Construction Equipment stated, "This order represents a significant achievement that acknowledges our engine technology in the data center power market, which is a new area of growth. We will continue to expand our presence in the global data center and distributed power markets in the future."