Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) revealed that it converted bulbous bow of 8,600-teu containership Hyundai Brave.
Bulbous bow is now in a shape of a dolphin and is enhanced fuel efficiency by lowering 1.5m from the existing height and reducing both measurement and weight of bulbous bow.
An official from HMM said the bulbous bow conversion has been done for the first time in Korea and the second time in the world following Maersk.
When building the vessel, bulbous bow has been designed to high-speed sailing in 27 knots, however, amid high oil prices, HMM decided to change shape and position of the bulbous bow which enables slow steaming in 18 knots.
The conversion work has been jointly conducted by DNV and DSEC, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering's subsidiary. Now Hyundai Brave will save fuel cost in the excess of 3%, which represents 1,040 ton ($600,000) of fuel in a year.
The Korean shipping company plans to complete bulbous bow conversion of three same-type boxships by the first half of this year and will review the fuel efficiency outcome and decide whether to convert the other ships in its fleet.