This file photo provided by HD Hyundai shows the Diego Silang, the second offshore patrol vessel built by the South Korean shipbuilder as part of a 10-vessel order from the Philippine Navy. The ship marked the 5,000th vessel delivered by the South Korean shipbuilding group. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – HD Hyundai, South Korea’s leading shipbuilding group, said Wednesday it has become the world’s first shipbuilder to deliver 5,000 vessels, reaching the milestone 50 years after its inaugural ship delivery.
The 5,000th vessel, delivered last month, was the Diego Silang, the second offshore patrol vessel built for the Philippine Navy. The ship is part of a 10-vessel order secured from the Philippines, the company said in a press release.
HD Hyundai delivered its first vessel — the 260,000-ton oil tanker Atlantic Baron — in 1974 and has since supplied ships to more than 70 shipping companies in 68 countries, it said.
“The delivery of 5,000 ships reflects a history of challenges that transformed the global maritime industry. Building on this achievement, we will move toward the next 5,000 vessels and the next 50 years,” HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun said in the release.
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai’s subholding unit, has won US$14.24 billion in orders so far this year, reaching 78.9 percent of its annual target of $18.05 billion.
HD KSOE oversees three shipyards — HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. and HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. HD Hyundai Mipo is scheduled to merge with HD Hyundai Heavy next month.
(Yonhap)
