HMM takes delivery of LNG-ready HMM Ruby

South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has handed over a new 13,000 TEU LNG-ready container ship, HMM Ruby, to fellow shipping line HMM.

HMM revealed the ship’s delivery via a social media update on June 24, stating that HMM Ruby was ready to embark on the PSX (Pacific South Express, connecting South Korea and the United States) route to from June 25.

Named after the July birthstone, HMM Ruby is the seventh of twelve LNG-ready 13,000 TEU container ships ordered by the Korean maritime player from Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2021.

Under the contract, each shipbuilder will build six ships with advanced energy-saving technologies that are expected to increase energy efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions. The vessels feature LNG-ready structures for potential conversion to LNG propulsion.

The first unit in this series, the HMM Garnet, was built and delivered by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in January 2024.

When the delivery of twelve 13,000 TEU vessels is completed this year, HMM’s fleet capacity is expected to reach a total of 1 million TEU. In particular, large container ships over 10,000 TEU will represent 80% of the shipowner’s entire fleet, thereby improving cost structure and operational efficiency.