HMM

History History of HMM

In celebration of our 50th anniversary in 2026, HMM has published a 50-Year History and a Storybook chronicling our half-century journey.
Discover the history of challenge and innovation that has made HMM a leading global shipping company.

2020’s

2010’s

2000’s

1990’s

1980’s

1970’s

2025 Introduced Korea’s first methanol-powered container ships (nine 9,000 TEU vessels) Re-entered the PCTC market Placed orders for LNG-powered container ships (twelve 13,000 TEU vessels) Surpassed 1 million TEU in container fleet capacity

2024 Established a new cooperation framework, the “Premier Alliance” Announced a mid- to long-term strategy targeting 1.55million TEU capacity by 2030 Declared “2045 Net-Zero” Introduced Korea’s first LNG-powered container ships (two 7,700 TEU vessels)

2023 Joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Placed Korea’s first order for methanol-fueled containerships (nine 9,000 TEU vessels) Ordered seven Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) (three 8,600 CEU and four 10,800 CEU vessels) Signed Korea’s first Green Sailing Service contract

2022 Announced a mid- to long-term strategy to “invest KRW 15 trillion by 2026” Obtained ISO 45001 certification for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Launched the online booking platform“Hi-Quote”

2021 Announced the “2050 Carbon Neutral”strategy Integrated the India and Middle East Headquarters into the Southwest Asia Headquarters Secured eight 16,000 TEU mega container ships Placed orders for twelve13,000 TEU ultra-large container ships

2020 Renamed the company to HMM Secured twelve 24,000TEU mega container ships ‘HMM Algeciras’ set a world record for the highest volume of cargo loaded one single vessel Established HPST terminal in the Port of Singapore

2019 Announced new corporate identity (CI) Merged subsidiary Hyundai Ocean Service Co., Ltd., with Haeyoung Shipping Joined THE Alliance as a full member Recognized as an“Eco-Friendly Excellent Carrier” by the Port of Oakland, United States Published its first Sustainability Report

2018 Commenced Ultra Freezer refrigerated cargo service Launched an independent Asia-North Europe container service Established a cloud-based next-generation platform Placed orders for20mega container ships (12 vessels of 24,000TEU and 8 vessels of 16,000TEU) Reacquired operating rights for HPNT

2017 Acquired the Kaohsiung Terminal (HPC) in Taiwan Launched 2M+H Cooperation Acquired a stake in Total Terminals International (TTI) in Long Beach, USA First Korean shipping line to pilot blockchain technology and IoT-based reefer container monitoring Took delivery of two newly built 11,000 TEU container ships Placed orders for five VLCCs

2016 Separated from the Hyundai Group‧Secured a terminal in Algeciras, Spain

2015 Launched a new Far East-West Coast South America container lines service Secured a container terminal at the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port

2014 Established the Global Documentation Center (GDC) in India

2013 Opened a container logistics facility (ODCY) in Qingdao, China

2012 ‘Hyundai Pacific Pride’became the first vessel in Korea to receive an eco-friendly ship certification Established <Hyundai Ocean Service Co.>, Ltd., a specialized ship management company

2011 Launch of the G6 Alliance, then the world’s largest shipping alliance

2010 Held the opening ceremony of Hyundai Pusan New-Port Terminal (HPNT) Launched “HMM SMART,” the first mobile website introduced by a Korean shipping company

2009 First in the Korean shipping industry to obtain AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) certification

2008 Established a subsidiary in Russia Established a subsidiary in Dubai, U.A.E. Established a subsidiary in Australia Established a subsidiary in Austria

2007 Established a subsidiary in Italy Established a subsidiary in Vietnam

2005 First in the Korean shipping industry to establish a subsidiary in India Formed a strategic alliance between the world’s two major alliance groups(TNWA-GA)

2004 Placed orders for three 6,800 TEU ultra-large container ships Placed orders for three 4,700 TEU container ships Launched North China-Korea-Americas (PCX) service

2003 Established the Southeast Asia Regional Headquarters (Singapore) Established the China Headquarters (Shanghai)

2002 Established the industry’s first online reverse auction system for marine fuel procurement

2001 Deployed the world’s largest and fastest 6,500TEU container ship ‘Hyundai Kingdom’ on the U.S. route Launched service on “GT Nexus”, the world’s first maritime shipping portal site

2000 The France branch was upgraded to a local subsidiary Commissioned the world’s largest LNG carrier ‘Hyundai Aquapia’

1999 Acquired a100% stake in California United Terminals Opened Hyundai Busan Container Terminal (Jaseongdae Terminal)

1998 Launched the“The New World Alliance (TNWA)”, then the world’s largest global shipping alliance First in the Korean shipping industry to surpass USD 4 billion in annual revenue Maiden voyage of the Mt. Geumgang tourism vessel ‘Hyundai Geumgang’

1997 Secured a container terminal at the Port of Tacoma, USA Became the first Korean carrier to join the Far East Freight Conference (FEFC) on the Far East-Europe route Established a subsidiary in Thailand Built the world’s first ship-to-shore satellite communication system ‘Hyundai Atlas’ designated as Korea’s first “Green Ship”s

1996 Began joint service on the Far East-U.S. route with Japan’s K-Line Opened a terminal at the Port of Kaohsiung, Taiwan Became the first global shipping company to obtain ISO14001 certification

1995 Completed Initial Public Offering (IPO) Established a subsidiary in China

1994 Commissioned Korea’s first LNG carrier ‘Hyundai Utopia’ Placed orders for three 5,551 TEU the world’s largest and fastest container ships

1993 Established HASA (HMM America Shipping Agency, Inc.), USA Secured container terminals at Busan and Gwangyang ports Simultaneously acquired ISM Code and ISO9002 certifications

1992 Launched full-container service between the Far East and Europe in partnership with Sea-Land Service

1991 Placed Korea’s first LNG carrier order

1990 Established <Hyundai Intermodal>, a U.S.-based inland intermodal transportation subsidiary Selected as Korea’s first shipping line authorized to operate LNG carriers

1989 Established a local subsidiary in Japan Launched the 'FA-2000' campaign Commenced Europe-Middle East liner service

1988 Merged with Korea Marine Transport Co., Ltd. Launched Double-Stack Train (DST) service linking Long Beach-Chicago-New York in the United States

1987 Took delivery of the dedicated ore carrier 'Hyundai Olympia'

1986 Commissioned three 2,800 TEU full-container vessels

1985 Commenced operation of full-container vessels of U.S. routes Took delivery of the world’s largest ore and coal bulk carrier ‘Hyundai Giant’ Merged with Donghae Merchant Marine and Shinhan Merchant Marine

1984 Consolidated Halla Marine Transportation, Shinhan Marine Transportation, Donghae Merchant Marine, and Sunil Merchant Marine according to the Government Shipping Business Rationalization Plan

1983 Company name changed to “Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Ltd.” Established the Container Operations Division

1982 Established U.S. subsidiary “Asia Merchant Marine America” Opened conventional liner routes connecting the Far East with the U.S. West Coast, Gulf, and East Coast

1981 Commissioned Korea’s first ore and coal bulk carrier ‘Hyundai Pacific’

1980 Launched Middle East-Red Sea liner service Commissioned Korea’s first PCC ‘Hyundai No.1’

1979 Awarded the 'Tower of USD 100 Million Freight Revenue' Opened Tokyo Branch and Incheon Office

1978 Opened conventional liner service to the Middle East