# South Korean container shipping expansion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-container-shipping-expansion
> Updated: 2026-10-20T02:05:59.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 3.

South Korean maritime entities are expanding container ship capacity through new construction and fleet investments.

In September 2026, HJ Heavy Industries secured a contract worth approximately 678.9 billion KRW to build four 10,100 TEU-class container ships for an Oceania-based company. These vessels are designed for high efficiency and environmental compliance, featuring methanol-ready designs and sulfur oxide scrubbers.

By October 2026, the shipping line HMM announced significant capital expenditures to expand its fleet. HMM ordered eight 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ships from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, to be constructed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Samho. These vessels are scheduled for sequential delivery starting in 2029 and will serve the Far East-India-Mediterranean (FIM) route. To strengthen its ‘hub and spoke’ network in regions such as Africa and India, HMM is also acquiring four feeder ships through resale.

This expansion is part of HMM’s ‘2030 Mid-to-Long-Term Strategy,’ a 29 trillion won program to grow both container and bulk fleets. The investment in the eight LNG dual-fuel ships, which are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 23% compared to conventional fuels, is part of a broader 2.1 trillion won ($1.62 billion) initiative to add 12 vessels to the fleet. Including these latest developments, HMM’s total investment for the year is expected to exceed 6 trillion won, while cumulative investment under CEO Choi Won-hyuk has reached 12 trillion won since March 2025. The company aims to reach a total capacity of 1.47 million TEU by the end of 2030, with a long-term target of operating 166 container ships and 110 bulk carriers.

## Claims

- The 8 new 13,000 TEU container ships are scheduled for sequential delivery to HMM by 2029. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- HD Hyundai Samho will construct six of the vessels, while HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will construct two. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- HMM is investing 2.1 trillion won to acquire 8 large container ships and 4 feeder ships. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- HMM's total investment for 2025 is expected to exceed 6 trillion won. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- HMM is executing a 29 trillion won '2030 Mid-to-Long-Term Strategy' to expand its fleet. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The 13,000 TEU container ships will be deployed on the Far East-India-Mediterranean (FIM) route to improve efficiency. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- HMM is acquiring four feeder ships (three 2,800 TEU and one 1,700 TEU) via the resale method. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering signed a contract with HMM worth approximately 1.92 trillion won for 8 eco-friendly container ships. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-20: HMM invests $1.62 billion in 12 new container ships

South Korean shipping giant HMM is investing 2.1 trillion won to add 12 container ships to its fleet, including eight LNG dual-fuel vessels from HD Hyundai, to support its 2030 long-term growth strategy.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hmm-invests-21-trillion-won-in-12-new-container-ships

### 2026-10-16: HMM approves $1.6 billion investment in 12 container ships

South Korean shipping company HMM is investing $1.6 billion in 12 container ships to expand its fleet capacity by 114,100 TEU by 2029.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hmm-approves-16-billion-investment-in-12-container-ships

### 2026-09-23: HJ Heavy Industries wins 678.9 billion KRW container ship order

HJ Heavy Industries secured a 678.9 billion KRW contract for four 10,100 TEU container ships, totaling eight orders for this model in 2024.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hj-heavy-industries-wins-6789-billion-krw-container-ship-order

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Cite as: South Korean container shipping expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-container-shipping-expansion