New HD Hyundai Samho pier can dock 18 ships

HD Hyundai Samho completed the extension of a pier that can accommodate up to 18 vessels at its shipyard in Yeongam, South Jeolla.

HD Hyundai Chairman Kwon Oh-gap, second from right, inspect the newly furnished pier at HD Hyundai Samho's shipyard in Yeongam, South Jeolla. [HD HYUNDAI SAMHO]

HD Hyundai Samho, a shipbuilding subsidiary of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, completed the extension of a pier that can accommodate up to 18 vessels at its shipyard in Yeongam, South Jeolla.

The company held a ceremony commemorating the pier extension Wednesday attended by some 100 workers including HD Hyundai Chairman Kwon Oh-gap and HD Hyundai Samho President and CEO Shin Hyun-dae.

The shipbuilding unit began the construction in July 2023 on the back of rising orders of environmentally friendly ships such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.

However, LNG carriers require twice as much docking time compared to regular ships, creating the need to expand the facility.

The pier consists of multiple dolphins, which are clusters of cylindrical pillars installed in the sea near the shore. Ships can dock on both sides of dolphins, which is not the case for traditional piers.

The newly completed pier, including its access road, spans 530 meters (1,739 feet) and is equipped with two large cranes to support ship construction and can accommodate up to four ultralarge ships.

In total, the shipbuilding subsidiary’s shipyard can simultaneously dock 18 ships, up from the previous 14 with its pier spanning 3.6 kilometers (2.2 miles).

“The completion of the pier extension provides HD Hyundai Samho with additional momentum to lead the eco-friendly ship market,” said Kwon in a statement. “We must continue to grow as a key company in the southwest region by maximizing the construction of high-value, eco-friendly ships.”

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]