Hanwha Shipping Launches First VLCC as Fleet Expansion Hits Full Speed
The 320,000 dwt Elandra K2 enters service under Vitol charter as three more VLCCs near completion
Hanwha Shipping has marked a critical milestone with the delivery of its first very large crude carrier, the Elandra K2, as the U.S.-based company accelerates its fleet construction programme.
The Elandra K2 was named at Hanwha Ocean’s Okpo Shipyard in South Korea at the end of July, with Charles Salmon, Chief Operating Officer of Hanwha Shipping, calling the delivery “a major moment for Hanwha Shipping as we celebrate our first ship on the water.” The vessel is the first of three VLCCs ordered by the company, all built to ABS Class and equipped with multi-fuel readiness and integrated cyber resilience.
Hanwha Shipping’s fleet plans extend beyond crude carriers. The company is also constructing four 174,000 cbm LNG carriers, with deliveries set to begin in 2027. These vessels will be compliant with all U.S. Additionally, Hanwha Shipping has announced plans for 10 MR tankers (49,500 dwt) for the Jones Act fleet, with deliveries starting in 2029.
Hanwha Ocean
The vessel holds ABS Fuel Ready Level 1C notations for ammonia, LNG, and methanol, providing a pathway for alternative fuel adoption as maritime regulations evolve. Its cyber resilience framework is based on the first ABS approval in principle under the IACS UR E26 framework, awarded to Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean at Gastech 2025.
Construction on the remaining VLCCs is progressing rapidly. The keel for the second vessel, Elandra Kunlun, was placed in May 2026, with delivery expected in December. The third VLCC, Elandra Kilimanjaro, saw its keel block placed on August 24, with delivery slated for February 2027. Meanwhile, the keel block for the first LNG carrier was laid in June, and steel cutting is underway for the next two vessels in the series.
“The delivery of the Elandra K2 is a major moment for Hanwha Shipping as we celebrate our first ship on the water.”
Charles Salmon·Chief Operating Officer, Hanwha Shipping
Matthew Mueller, ABS Vice President for North Pacific Business Development, highlighted the deliberate approach taken in the vessels’ design. “Hanwha Shipping has taken a deliberate approach to how these vessels are designed and equipped, from multi-fuel readiness to integrated cyber resilience built in from the construction stage,” he said.
Strategic Moves in the U.S. Market: Hanwha Shipping
Hanwha Shipping’s expansion is part of a broader strategy by Hanwha Group to strengthen its presence in the U.S. maritime sector. The company has announced plans to invest in the expansion of the Philly Shipyard and is reportedly preparing a bid to acquire Austal’s U.S. shipbuilding capabilities.
With the delivery of the remaining VLCCs and LNG carriers, Hanwha Shipping is positioning itself as a key player in both crude and gas transportation.
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