
K Shipbuilding has been a pioneer in tanker shipbuilding for decades, and its expertise in this field is unmatched. The company has delivered over 400 tankers since its inception, with a capacity to build up to 30 vessels per year.
K Shipbuilding's commitment to innovation has led to the development of cutting-edge technologies that improve the efficiency and safety of tanker ships. This focus on innovation has resulted in significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts.
The company's ability to deliver high-quality tankers on time and within budget has earned it a reputation as one of the most reliable shipbuilders in the industry. K Shipbuilding's attention to detail and rigorous quality control processes ensure that every tanker that leaves its shipyard meets the highest standards of safety and performance.
As the maritime industry continues to evolve, K Shipbuilding is well-positioned to meet the changing needs of its customers. The company's expertise in tanker shipbuilding and its commitment to innovation will serve it well in the years to come.
Tanker Shipbuilding News
K Shipbuilding has been making waves in the tanker shipbuilding industry with its recent collaborations and orders. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Alfa Laval to use their OceanGlide air lubrication system in KSB's newbuilding projects, such as medium range (MR) and long range 1 (LR1) tankers.
This partnership aims to improve vessel efficiency and performance by reducing frictional resistance while sailing. OceanGlide's intelligent integration of fluidics with air lubrication can enhance propulsion power savings by up to 12%.
K Shipbuilding has also secured an order for the construction of two 50,000 dwt MR tankers, valued at AED 643 million ($175 million). The vessels are expected to be built at Jinhae Shipyard and delivered before the end of the fourth quarter of 2024.
These tankers will be LNG-ready and designed to adapt to burn new fuels such as ammonia and methanol. This is a significant step towards sustainable maritime operations, as mentioned by Alfa Laval.
K Shipbuilding's collaboration with Alfa Laval is a testament to the market's growing trust in Alfa Laval as a reliable partner. This recognition highlights the innovative and efficient solutions offered by Alfa Laval.
The OceanGlide system utilizes fluidic technology to create highly streamlined airflow sections on a vessel's flat bottom. Each section has an independently regulated fluidic band that produces a controlled air layer, ensuring optimal efficiency and maximum coverage.
The system's high efficiency in controlling air flow also ensures an effective air layer with fewer compressors, providing the added advantage of conveniently positioning them anywhere on board.
Industry Developments
K Shipbuilding has been given a new lease of life with orders from Seaspan Corporation and MSC for a total of eight 8,000 TEU container ships. The contracts are valued at $1.08 billion and are scheduled for delivery in late 2024 to 2025.
The South Korean shipyard has been downsizing since the STX chaebol collapsed in 2013, but it's now focusing on designing vessels in the feeder, Panamax, and 7,000 to 8,000 TEU range. This shift in strategy has allowed K Shipbuilding to tap into strong demand in the container shipping market.
K Shipbuilding has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Donghwa Entec to design LNG-fueled 8,000 TEU ships, and has won orders for LNG-fueled product tankers from the Louis Dreyfus group.
Alfa Laval's Air Lubrication in Tanker Newbuilds
Alfa Laval's OceanGlide air lubrication system is being used in K Shipbuilding's potential newbuilding projects such as medium range (MR) and long range 1 (LR1) tankers.
The system serves KSB's efficiency goals by utilizing intelligent integration of fluidics with air lubrication to enhance the vessel's propulsion power savings by up to 12%.
OceanGlide creates highly streamlined airflow sections on a vessel's flat bottom, with each section having an independently regulated fluidic band that produces a controlled air layer.
This feature ensures optimal efficiency, maximum coverage, and reduced compressor power, making it an innovative solution for improving ship operation efficiency.
The system's high efficiency in controlling air flow ensures an effective air layer with fewer compressors and provides the added advantage of conveniently positioning them anywhere on board.
By using Alfa Laval's OceanGlide air lubrication system, KSB aims to achieve its objective of improving a vessel's energy efficiency, and performance by reducing the vessel's frictional resistance while sailing.

OceanGlide's benefits include lower fuel consumption, reduced CO2 emissions, and improved EEDI, EEXI, and CII compliance, according to the company.
The collaboration between Alfa Laval and K Shipbuilding signifies the market's growing trust in Alfa Laval as a reliable partner, and highlights the recognition of their solutions as being innovative and efficient.
Orders Revive Shipbuilding
K Shipbuilding has been given a new lease of life with orders from Seaspan Corporation and MSC for a total of eight 8,000 TEU container ships.
The contract value is a whopping US$1.08 billion, with the vessels scheduled for delivery in late 2024 to 2025.
This is a significant boost for the shipbuilder, which has been working to reinvent itself as a specialist in small and mid-sized ships.
The orders are for vessels in the feeder, Panamax, and 7,000 to 8,000 TEU range, which has been in huge demand lately.
K Shipbuilding has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Donghwa Entec to design LNG-fueled 8,000 TEU ships.
The shipbuilder is now focusing on designing smart ships and exploring technologies for unmanned shipping, which are the future trends in the industry.
In addition to the container ship orders, K Shipbuilding has also won orders for LNG-fueled product tankers from the Louis Dreyfus group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns K Shipbuilding?
K Shipbuilding is owned by a consortium led by United Asset Management Company (UAMCO) and KH Investment (KHI). The company was acquired from its creditors in 2021 for approximately US$220 million.
Sources
- https://www.offshore-energy.biz/k-shipbuilding-to-use-alfa-lavals-air-lubrication-system-in-tanker-newbuild-projects/
- https://www.offshore-energy.biz/k-shipbuilding-wins-order-for-two-mr-tankers/
- https://wingd.com/news-media/news/wingd-alfa-laval-abs-and-k-shipbuilding-join-forces-for-ammonia-fuelled-tanker-design/
- https://container-news.com/orders-by-msc-and-seaspan-revive-k-shipbuilding/
- https://www.imarinenews.com/11626.html
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