Samsung Heavy Bags Order for Two Eco-Friendly Suezmax Tankers

South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has clinched a deal to build two Suezmax tankers for an undisclosed Panamanian shipowner.

Under the KRW 147 billion (USD 125.4 million) contract, the shipbuilder is scheduled to deliver the units by March 2021.

The newly ordered tankers are designed to meet environmental regulations with the ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) equipped in preparation for the IMO’s regulations. In addition, a number of fuel-saving technologies would be applied to the tankers to enhance operational efficiency.

Additionally, the SVESSEL, the first next-generation smart ship system in the domestic shipbuilding industry developed by SHI, would be embedded in the two tankers to ensure cost-effective and safe operation with functions that help crew plan fuel-saving optimal routes, monitor equipment performance in real time, diagnose equipment failures and remotely control the tankers from an onshore location.

“The stricter environmental regulations will increase the demand for smart ships designed with high fuel efficiency all around the world,” said an official of SHI.

With the latest order, SHI has won deals valued at USD 3.3 billion so far this year to build 16 vessels including 10 LNG carriers, 4 oil tankers, one special-purpose ship and one FPSO, reaching 42% of its annual order target of USD 7.8 billion.