As high-value ships, such as LNG carrier, drillship, etc., seem to lead shipbuilding market in the second half this year, steel industry quickly adjusts into this recent circumstance.

    Due to a sudden rise in offshore plant's new order, which would begin to be actively built from 2012, steel players are spurring to develop special steel grades for offshore plant during H2 2011.  

    POSCO of South Korea plans to develop 13 kinds of offshore steel products from H2 2011 to H1 2012. Also, special steel for LNG carrier and jack-up rig are now under development.

    Dongkuk Steel is also proceeding research and development, aiming to make nine steel grades related to offshore plant by the end of this year.  

    Hyundai-Steel having already started developing offshore steel products, plans to have four more grades by this year and continue development of high tension thick plate. 
 

(source:asiasis)