POSCO Group is taking a significant step toward expanding its energy business through the introduction of a dedicated LNG carrier.
Amidst rising uncertainties in the global energy supply chain, POSCO Group aims to establish a reliable and secure energy transportation system with this new vessel.
On May 23rd, POSCO International held a naming ceremony for its first self-owned LNG carrier, the ‘HL FORTUNA,’ at HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Mokpo, Jeolla Province. The name ‘FORTUNA,’ derived from Latin, means ‘luck,’ symbolizing the vessel’s promising future.
At the ceremony, key figures including CEO Lee Gye-in and Vice President Yoo Yookyung of POSCO Group, along with Kim Jae-eul of HD Hyundai Mipo, and Seo Myeong-deuk of H-Line Shipping, attended to share the significance of securing LNG transportation assets and discussed future cooperation strategies.
This LNG carrier project is a collaborative effort involving three major companies: POSCO International manages long-term LNG import contracts and overall operation; HD Hyundai Mipo handles shipbuilding; and H-Line Shipping is responsible for vessel operation management. This partnership underscores a close industry collaboration among the energy, shipbuilding, and shipping sectors.
The HL FORTUNA is a 299-meter-long, 46.4-meter-wide LNG carrier with a capacity of 174,000㎥. It is optimized for transporting LNG from North America, capable of delivering enough natural gas to power all of South Korea for 12 hours in a single voyage.
Equipped with a dual-fuel system using LNG as the primary fuel and high-efficiency re-liquefaction facilities that cool and recover evaporated gas during transit, the vessel is designed to comply flexibly with international environmental regulations.
The vessel is scheduled for delivery on May 27th, after which it will undergo sea trials and begin global LNG trading in the second half of the year. Starting from 2026, it will ship LNG from the Cheniere Energy terminal in Louisiana, USA, supporting both domestic supply and international trading. The vessel will operate at least five round trips annually via the Gwangyang LNG terminal, transporting LNG under POSCO International’s long-term North American contract.
POSCO International has also expanded its LNG import base through long-term contracts—an annual 400,000-ton deal with Cheniere Energy and a 700,000-ton contract with Mexico Pacific—continuing to diversify and strengthen its LNG supply chain. With the development of the Mexico Pacific project gaining momentum, the group plans to secure additional dedicated vessels for reliable transportation of those volumes as well.
A POSCO International official stated, “The introduction of this LNG carrier enhances our entire LNG value chain—from gas field production, import, storage, to power generation—effectively positioning us to respond to global protectionism and supply chain disruptions." They added, “Through further acquisition of dedicated ships, we will bolster supply stability, improve LNG trading efficiency, and continuously strengthen our global supply chain resilience.”
