Hyundai cuts delivery times

Hyundai Heavy Industries has developed a new groundbreaking technology that makes it possible to launch a completed ship while continuing shipbuilding work at the same dock.

With traditional methods, a vessel that was under construction would float on the water whenever the dry dock was flooded to launch a completed ship. The new method, which is called the ?wetted tandem method?, holds the incomplete ship in place, allowing the shipbuilder continue work on the ship whether the dry dock is flooded or dry, reducing construction time.

The method does not require any additional investments to facilities and has eliminated additional work. HHI assembles the main engine and propeller shaft, attaches the hatch cover, and lashes down the bridge to make the ship heavier before the dry dock is filled with water.

According to a company source “The new technology is expected to help reduce the terms of works by almost 20 % because we no longer have to stop building ships to launch a completed ship. The number of days working at a dock will decrease by 13 days from 70, and it will make it unnecessary to remove and install again various facilities and equipment.” The company has used the technology since last May to build seven ships including a 10,000-TEU container ship at the third dock of its Ulsan shipyard.

The shipyard registered the patent in Korea in January, and is now working to apply for not only an international patent but also separate patents in each foreign country. Hyundai is also considering using the technology at its 10th dock, which is scheduled to be completed in October, as part of its plan to gradually expand the use of the technology.