HJ Shipbuilding & Construction received approval in principle from the Korean Register (KR) for the design concept of a 10,000-TEU biofuel-propelled container ship. As biofuel demand in the shipping industry grows amid tighter international environmental regulations, HJ Shipbuilding & Construction plans to secure eco-friendly propulsion technology in the mid- to large-size container ship segment to boost its order competitiveness.
HJ Shipbuilding & Construction said on the 5th that it held a signing ceremony for the approval in principle certificate for the design concept of a 10,000-TEU biofuel-propelled container ship at the "Posidonia 2026" exhibition being held in Athens, Greece, on the 4th (local time).
Marine biofuel is a carbon-reducing fuel made by blending biofuel such as vegetable and animal oils with conventional fossil fuel-based bunker fuel at a certain ratio. As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) tightens carbon emission regulations and environmental rules expand, including the European Union's FuelEU Maritime regulation and the Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), usage is increasing across the shipping industry and at major ports.
With interest in biofuels rising among shipowners attending Posidonia, shipbuilders increasingly need yard-level technology readiness and market response. HJ Shipbuilding & Construction began cooperating with the Korean Register last year to secure related technologies, conducted research to apply a biofuel propulsion system to a 10,000-TEU container ship the company is building, and completed the technology development last month.
HJ Shipbuilding & Construction said this certification is meaningful in that the two organizations officially confirmed the technical feasibility and safety in line with relevant regulations and safety standards. With this certification, HJ Shipbuilding & Construction has secured high value-added, eco-friendly technology for 10,000-TEU mid- to large-size biofuel-propelled container ships and expects additional orders ahead.
Chief Executive Yoo Sang-cheol of HJ Shipbuilding & Construction said, "Through the development of biofuel-propelled container ship technology, we expect positive effects on sales and order-taking in the eco-friendly vessel market," and added, "Since building decarbonized vessels is essential to reduce greenhouse gases, we will secure technological competitiveness and build shipowner trust."