HMM Company Limited (Korean: 에이치엠엠), formerly known as Hyundai Merchant Marine (현대상선), is a South Korean container transportation and shipping company.
Contents
Overview
HMM moves the largest portion of South Korea's exports, becoming the number one Korean national container carrier, especially since Hanjin Shipping was declared bankrupt and ordered to be liquidated.
The company's office network is composed of four international headquarters, 27 subsidiaries, 76 branches, five overseas offices and 10 liaison offices.
On the domestic market, HMM transports strategic materials such as crude oil, iron ore/coal and diverse special products as well as import/export goods. As of 2024, the revenue is approximately 12 trillion Korean won.
As of 2020, HMM has built and launched the world's two largest container ships in terms of TEU capacity, the HMM Algeciras with a maximum TEU capacity of 23,964, and the HMM Copenhagen with a maximum capacity of 23,820 TEU.
In December 2023, HMM sale fell through when negotiations with the preferred bidder, Harim Group, finally broke down.
THE Alliance - Premier Alliance
Along with Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express, and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation, HMM was a member of THE Alliance. THE Alliance was intended to provide 34 services, directly calling at 81 different ports on a monthly basis. From March 2025, THE Alliance was replaced by Premier Alliance, composed by the same members, excluding Hapag-Lloyd.
History
Hyundai Merchant Marine
1970s
Company established as Asia Merchant Marine on March 25, with a capital of 200 million.
Conventional liner service opened between the Far East and the Middle East.
Tramper liner service established between Asia and the Middle East.
Container service introduced between the Far East and the Middle East.
1980s
PCC (Pure Car Carrier) service inaugurated on the Far East/Europe, Korea/Australia and Korea/India routes.
Purchased Hyundai No.1, first car carrier in Korea.
Integrated Halla Marine Transportation, Shinhan Marine Transportation, and Donghae Merchant Marine as shipping agents, and Sunil Merchant Marine as subsidiary shipper.
Launched on Korea/Australia, Canada route.
Full container service opened between the Far East and the Western Us.
Constructed and purchased the world's largest ore & coal carrier Hyundai Giant.
Merged with Donghae Merchant Marine and Shinhan Merchant Marine.
1990s
Seven of the world's largest and fastest container ships (5,551 TEU) purchased.
Designated as the first LNG operation shipping company in Korea.
HMM Co., Ltd.
On 9 March 2020, Hyundai Merchant Marine board decide to rebrand the company as HMM Co., Ltd.
On 29 April 2020, HMM held the naming ceremony for the newly constructed 23,964 TEU-class container ship HMM Algeciras, the largest container ships in the world at the time of her launch.