Hyundai develops marine hydraulic pump

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has successfully developed Korea?s first marine hydraulic pump through in-house technology after two-year research and development commitment. To develop this hydraulic pump, HHI faced technological difficulties since it is a submerged cargo pump which is operated under an ultra high pressure of 280kg/cm2.

It is expected that the successful development and production of Hyundai submerged cargo pumps will allow Korean shipbuilders to enhance their price competitiveness since, until now, the country has been importing all of its demand for this equipment from overseas such as Norway. Initially, HHI will concentrate on meeting domestic demand for their pump and then will seek to gain its share in the international market by targeting mainly China.

Hyundai submerged cargo pumps have received good reviews from the international participants during the recent 2005 Marintec exhibition in China. “We are still in a position to import some parts and equipment for shipbuilding. However, by successfully developing such core equipment, it will be good chance to secure international technology in the field of marine machinery and materials.” HHI official said.

Since the first production of marine engine and industrial pump in 1978, HHI has successfully supplied water pumps for nuclear power plant, and thermal power plant, vertical variable pitch vane pump and cargo oil pump. HHI is currently developing a cargo pump for LNG carriers.