Korean shipbuilders build “green” vessels

Korean dockyards are racing to develop environment-friendly shipbuilding technologies and “green” vessels, as the green trend reaches the global shipbuilding industry. STX Shipbuilding, one of the country’s three shipbuilding powerhouses, said it has developed a next-generation vessel which cuts carbon emissions by 45% and raises the vessel’s fuel efficiency rating by 41%. “The Green Dream ECO-Ship is a product for the next 20 years when countries around the world are expected to adopt stricter environmental regulations,” said Choi Young-dal, an STX official who led the project to develop a green vessel. Meanwhile, Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s leading shipbuilder, has introduced the nation’s first hybrid ship in Ulsan, South Gyeongsang. The hybrid vessel is expected to annually save 25% in fuel and reduce CO2 emissions by 10 tons. (September 22, 2009)