HD Hyundai Heavy Signs Deal to Build Sweden’s Icebreaking Vessel, a First for a Korean Yard

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries held a contract-signing ceremony in Stockholm on Friday local time for one icebreaking vessel, attended by CEO Joo Won-ho, Swedish Maritime Administration Director General Erik Eklund and South Korean Ambassador to Sweden Lee Hyung-jong. [Photo=HD Hyundai]

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said Sunday it has held a contract-signing ceremony for an overseas icebreaking vessel order, marking the first such deal won by a South Korean shipyard and moving the project into full implementation.

The company said it signed the shipbuilding contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration on Friday local time at the National Maritime Museum in Stockholm.

CEO Joo Won-ho and Swedish Maritime Administration Director General Erik Eklund attended the event and discussed the significance of the agreement and ways to cooperate going forward, the company said.

HD Hyundai Heavy previously disclosed it had secured an order for one icebreaking vessel worth $348.9 million (about 514.8 billion won). The ship is expected to be delivered in 2029 and will have icebreaking capability rated at Polar Class 4.

The company said the contract is seen as a step into the global icebreaker market and a foundation for expanding into Arctic-route vessels such as LNG carriers and bulk carriers equipped with icebreaking functions.

* This article has been translated by AI.

SHIN JIA fromjia@ajunews.com