Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI), a shipbuilding affiliate of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), successfully launched a 162,000 m3 LNG carrier built using the on-ground shipbuilding method for the first time.

The vessel, designed for delivering chilled natural gas, was ordered by Golar of Norway in February 2012. Measuring 289m in length, 45.6m in width, and 26m in depth, the vessel is scheduled for delivery in late July 2014 after outfitting and painting work.

The LNG containment system, an engine, a propeller were manufactured and assembled in the on-land shipbuilding area equipped with a 1,200-tonne gantry crane, four jib cranes and a floating dock. The assembled LNG carrier was loaded out onto a floating dock by hydraulic skidding, and then the LNG ship was launched out by submerging the floating dock. Striking balance of the LNG carrier, which is about 30% heavier than other type of ships, on the hydraulic skidding facility and on the floating dock was the critical point of launching.

Though this is the first LNG carrier Hyundai Samho has built using the on-ground method, the company has already built 50 other ships using this method since May 2008.