South Korea’s largest shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries, expects a surge in demand for newbuilding orders as the market turns into 2020, and is seeing increased interest in LNG-fuelled vessels.

Speaking to TradeWinds at the Gastech meeting in Houston, HHI president Sam Ka said many shipowners have been adopting a “wait-and-see” ­approach.

Ka “definitely” expects an ­increase in orders and demand for LNG-fuelled ships as the IMO’s 2020 deadline becomes a reality.