Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) is likely to receive state financial guarantees worth KRW 6 trillion ($5.28bn) to fund its 20-ship newbuilding programme.

Hwang Ho-Sun, president of state-controlled Korea Ocean Business Corp (KOBC), told the Edaily website that his company is considering the support plan for the domestic shipowner.

"If the decision is made at the ministerial-level meeting, the support process will be carried out as early as this month," he added.