South Korea's largest container shipping company, founded in 1976, headquartered in Seoul, with a capacity of approximately 860,000 TEU ranking eighth globally, a founding member of the Premier Alliance from 2025, known for 24,000 TEU eco-friendly ultra-large vessels and green shipping.
Basic Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| English Name | HMM Co., Ltd. |
| SCAC Code | HDMU |
| Headquarters | Seoul, South Korea |
| Established | 1976 |
| Shipping Alliance | Premier Alliance (from 2025) |
| Fleet Capacity | Approx. 860,000 TEU (2025 Alphaliner) |
| Global Ranking | 8th |
| Number of Vessels | Approx. 85 (owned + chartered) |
Company Overview
HMM, formerly known as Hyundai Merchant Marine, was founded in 1976 as a subsidiary of the Hyundai Group and renamed HMM in 2020. HMM is South Korea's largest container shipping company, with a shareholding structure dominated by South Korean policy financial institutions; the Korea Development Bank and the Korea Ocean Business Corporation together hold a majority stake. Between 2020 and 2022, HMM underwent deep restructuring and revival, achieving a reversal from financial crisis to industry leadership through large-scale newbuilding orders and debt restructuring.
HMM operates a core fleet of 24,000 TEU ultra-large eco-friendly container ships, equipped with scrubbers, shore power systems, and energy-saving and environmentally friendly designs, leading the industry in fuel efficiency and carbon emission indicators. HMM aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, ahead of the industry average. In 2025, following the restructuring of the former THE Alliance into Gemini Cooperation, HMM, together with ONE and Yang Ming Marine Transport, formed the Premier Alliance to maintain competitiveness on the Asia-Europe and trans-Pacific main routes. HMM holds a dominant position in the South Korean domestic market and accounts for a significant share of container throughput at the Port of Busan.
Main Service Network
| Route | Typical Port Rotation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Asia-Europe (AEX Series) | Shanghai—Ningbo—Yantian—Busan—Singapore—Suez—Rotterdam—Hamburg | Weekly |
| Trans-Pacific (PSX Series) | Yantian—Ningbo—Shanghai—Busan—Long Beach—Tacoma—Vancouver | Weekly |
| Asia-Mediterranean | Qingdao—Shanghai—Ningbo—Shekou—Singapore—Gioia Tauro—La Spezia—Barcelona | Weekly |
| Asia-Middle East | Shanghai—Ningbo—Yantian—Busan—Singapore—Jebel Ali | Weekly |
| Intra-Asia | Busan—Shanghai—Ningbo—Shekou—Singapore—Ho Chi Minh—Laem Chabang—Manila | Weekly |
Ports of Call in China
HMM's main calling ports in mainland China:
- East China: Shanghai, Ningbo
- South China: Shenzhen (Yantian), Guangzhou (Nansha)
- North China: Tianjin, Qingdao, Dalian
- Transshipment Connection: Via Busan Port, connecting to HMM's global network
Operational Notes
- Booking Method: Submit booking to HMM through Bofeng Logistics, supporting contract rates
- Bill of Lading: HMM issues Master Bill of Lading (MBL), supporting telex release and electronic bills
- Container Tracking: Bofeng Logistics provides cargo status information to customers via HMM's tracking system
- Special Cargo: HMM has strict DG management; item names must be confirmed for acceptance in advance; RF reefer container space is limited; early booking is recommended
- Seasonal Factors: HMM's peak season on trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe routes is concentrated from July to October. During peak season at Busan, there may be space and terminal operation pressures; transshipment cargo should allow sufficient connection time
- Transit Time Reference: South China to Europe approx. 25-30 days, South China to US West Coast approx. 15-18 days, South China to Mediterranean approx. 22-28 days, South China to Middle East approx. 18-22 days, South China via Busan to North America approx. 18-22 days (including transit time)
- Restrictions: HMM's 24,000 TEU vessels have limited calling terminals in South China (mainly Yantian); berthing arrangements at Shekou and Nansha are fewer; HMM's brand awareness in the Chinese market is relatively low compared to South Korea; some inland customers have limited knowledge of HMM; HMM's intra-Asia route coverage is not as extensive as that of Asian local carriers
Bofeng Logistics Services
As a first-tier freight forwarder cooperating with HMM, Bofeng Logistics leverages the cost advantages of HMM's 24,000 TEU eco-friendly ultra-large fleet and the Premier Alliance's global network to provide efficient and economical shipping solutions for China-South Korea trade and export enterprises in South China:
- Relying on the excellent fuel efficiency and economies of scale of HMM's 24,000 TEU eco-friendly mega vessels, Bofeng Logistics helps high-volume customers obtain more cost-effective freight solutions on Asia-Europe and trans-Pacific routes, especially suitable for heavy cargo and high-cube container needs
- Taking advantage of HMM's hub advantages at Busan Port in South Korea and the route synergies of the Premier Alliance, Bofeng Logistics provides fast connection channels for China-South Korea trade and cargo transshipped via Korea to North America, leveraging the geographical advantage of the Korea-China-global supply chain node
- For exports from ports in the Pearl River Delta, Bofeng Logistics provides one-stop services including container trucking, export customs declaration, and cargo insurance, helping customers achieve green supply chain goals with HMM's eco-friendly fleet
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the advantages of HMM's 24,000 TEU eco-friendly vessels? HMM operates a core fleet of multiple 24,000 TEU ultra-large eco-friendly container ships, equipped with advanced environmental technologies such as scrubbers, shore power systems, energy-saving ducts, and high-efficiency propellers, leading the industry in fuel efficiency and carbon emission indicators. Compared to traditional vessels, these eco-friendly ships can reduce unit carbon emissions by approximately 12% and fuel consumption by about 20%. HMM aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. These eco-friendly vessels are the core assets of its green shipping strategy and enable HMM to maintain stronger operational sustainability under increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
Q2: What is HMM's role in the Premier Alliance? HMM is one of the three founding members of the Premier Alliance (alongside ONE and Yang Ming), primarily responsible for the South Korean domestic market and core routes such as Asia-Middle East and Asia-North America. With the hub advantages of Busan Port and the 24,000 TEU eco-friendly fleet, HMM plays a significant capacity supply role within the alliance. For cargo wishing to transit via Busan to North America or Europe, HMM's network position within the Premier Alliance ensures seamless connections and efficient transshipment.
Q3: What types of customers is HMM suitable for? Leveraging the economies of scale of its 24,000 TEU eco-friendly fleet, HMM offers highly competitive freight rates for high-volume export customers on main Asia-Europe and trans-Pacific routes. Its hub status at Busan Port is particularly suitable for China-South Korea trade cargo and customers using Korea as a transshipment node to connect with global markets. HMM's industry-leading position in environmental protection and carbon neutrality also makes it a preferred carrier for enterprises focusing on green supply chain management. For heavy cargo and high-cube container needs, HMM's large eco-friendly vessels offer better loading adaptability.
Practical Experience
Bofeng Logistics has extensive practical experience in handling HMM operations, especially regarding the connection for Busan transshipment. HMM has a hub advantage at Busan Port. Cargo shipped from various ports in South China transshipped via Busan to the US West Coast is a classic HMM route. In actual operations, we have found that the connection time for Busan transshipment is typically 2-3 days, and the overall transit time is not significantly different from direct sailings from South China to the US West Coast. However, during peak seasons, it provides additional space options for South China customers. When choosing the Busan transshipment option, it is recommended to confirm whether the schedules of both legs are reasonably aligned to avoid excessively long waiting times for transshipment.
HMM's 24,000 TEU vessels indeed mainly call at Yantian Port in South China. This is because ultra-large vessels require dedicated berths and sufficient water depth conditions, in which Yantian Port has an advantage, while Shekou and Nansha have fewer arrangements for HMM's ultra-large vessel calls. When recommending HMM to customers, we first confirm whether the port of loading can conveniently accommodate them to avoid additional trucking costs due to terminal restrictions.
Under the coordination mechanism of the Premier Alliance, we have observed smooth space-sharing and route synergy between HMM, ONE, and Yang Ming. In actual operations, if a particular HMM route is fully booked, alternative solutions within the Premier Alliance can usually be seamlessly connected, providing customers with additional capacity assurance. This is especially important during peak seasons—the flexible allocation within the alliance can significantly reduce shipment delays caused by insufficient space on a single carrier.
Selection Recommendations
Needs: Export enterprises engaged in China-South Korea trade and cargo transshipped via Busan to North America, or customers focusing on green supply chain management and high-volume mainline cargo transportation. Choice: With the cost efficiency and low-carbon advantages of its 24,000 TEU eco-friendly ultra-large fleet, the global network of the Premier Alliance, and the hub status of Busan Port, HMM provides economical, efficient, and green sustainable shipping solutions for customers on Asia-Europe and trans-Pacific main routes.
Contact Us
- Carrier Official Website: https://www.hmm21.com
- Bofeng Logistics HMM Booking Hotline: 130-7567-8958
- Email: info@zhbfwl.com