Hanwha Shipping is set to construct the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers in the United States, following a proposed U.S. trade measure targeting Chinese-built vessels. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has introduced a plan to impose tariffs on Chinese-built ships entering U.S. ports, with a six-month grace period. The proposal also requires that LNG carriers transporting U.S. fuel be both U.S.-flagged and U.S.-built.
Starting April 17, 2028, at least 1% of all LNG exported by vessel must be carried on U.S.-built ships—a figure that will rise annually, reaching 15% by 2047.
According to Bloomberg, Ryan Lynch, Vice President of Commercial Shipping at Hanwha, said the plan will necessitate building five to seven U.S.-flagged LNG carriers by the decade’s end.
Hanwha’s U.S. shipbuilding operations began in December 2024 with the $100 million acquisition of Philly Shipyard by Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean. The deal followed CFIUS approval in September 2024, leading to the official launch of “Hanwha Philly Shipyard” as Hanwha’s U.S. shipbuilding base.