KSS Line
- Company typePublic
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersSeoul, South Korea
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
KSS Line firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KSS Line
- Legal name
- KSS LINE LTD.
- Website
- https://kssline.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where KSS Line is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seoul
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
KSS Line business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Long-term Time Charter Contracts: KSS Line's primary revenue stream comes from long-term time charter contracts with global energy companies. These contracts provide stable, contracted cash flows over periods of 2-7 years. Recent major contracts include BGN Group (KRW 8,263 billion total), GYXIS Corporation (KRW 1,852 billion), PTT Public Company Limited, and GS Caltex. The company also operates vessels on spot market voyages.
- LPG and Gas Transportation: Transportation of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), anhydrous ammonia, and other liquefied gas products via VLGC and MGC vessels. The company operates 14 VLGCs and 4 MGCs as part of its core gas carrier fleet.
- Petrochemical and Oil Product Transportation: Transportation of liquid petrochemical and chemical products via chemical carriers and product tankers. Fleet includes oil & chemical carriers and product tankers operating under long-term charters and spot contracts.
- LNG Transportation (Equity Participation): KSS Line holds equity stakes in 3 LNG carriers operated by KOGAS (Korea Gas Corporation), participating in LNG transportation through investment rather than direct vessel operation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Long-term time charter contracts (5-7 years) with major energy companies |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Long-term time charter contracts (2-5 years) with petrochemical and energy companies |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
KSS Line product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KSS Line provides specialized maritime transportation services for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), anhydrous ammonia, petrochemical liquids, and refined oil products through a fleet of approximately 32 VLGCs, MGCs, chemical carriers, and product tankers deployed primarily under multi-year time charter contracts with global energy majors and petrochemical producers. The company also participates in LNG transportation through equity stakes in three KOGAS-operated LNG carriers, offering an integrated energy logistics service spanning Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, and Australia.
Product overview
KSS Line operates as an integrated maritime shipping company offering specialized energy logistics services. The company provides three core service lines: (1) Gas Transportation encompassing LPG and ammonia carriage via a fleet of 21 gas carriers including 16 VLGCs (Very Large Gas Carriers) and 4 MGCs (Medium Gas Carriers), (2) Petrochemical Transportation using 10 chemical/product tankers for liquid petroleum chemical products, and (3) LNG Transportation through equity participation in KOGAS vessels. The fleet of approximately 32+ vessels (owned and time-chartered combined) is deployed under long-term time charter contracts with major global energy companies including BGN Group, GYXIS Corporation, PTT, and others. The company maintains a focus on eco-friendly operations with dual-fuel vessel investments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Gas Transportation (LPG & Ammonia)
- Petrochemical & Oil Product Transportation
- LNG Transportation (Equity Participation)
- 90K VLGC Newbuilding Order (LPG Dual-Fuel)
Quantifiable outcome
- Revenue of KRW 5,614 billion in 2025, up 8.4% YoY — record high for the third consecutive year
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use KSS Line
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
KSS Line technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature5 records
KSS Line partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore EngineeringcoreHD Korea Shipbuilding (HD Hyundai Heavy Industries) signed a KRW 504.8 billion deal with KSS Line for three gas carriers (VLGC newbuilds) to be built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.
- GYXIS CorporationcoreKSS Line signed a 5-year long-term time charter contract with GYXIS Corporation for 1 newbuild 90K VLGC (to be delivered starting Q1 2029), valued at approximately KRW 1,852 billion.
- HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (현대중공업)coreKSS Line placed an order with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for 3 newbuild 90K-class VLGC vessels, to be delivered sequentially starting Q1 2029. These will be equipped with LPG dual-fuel engines and designed to transit both old and new Panama Canal. Contract valued at approximately KRW 504.8 billion.
- Air France-KLMminorKSS Line became the first Korean shipping company to participate in Air France-KLM's Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) program through the bluebiz corporate membership program. KSS supports SAF purchase by Air France-KLM, which transfers carbon emission reduction credits to KSS. The program aligns with SBTi standards.
- BGN Group (BGN INT DMCC, B International Shipping & Logistics DMCC)coreKSS Line signed long-term time charter contracts with UAE-based BGN Group for 6 VLGC vessels (contract period starting 2028, 3-5 years) totaling approximately KRW 8,263 billion. BGN Group is a key strategic customer representing 160% of 2024 annual revenue. KSS also signed additional newbuild contracts with BGN Group for 2 new VLGCs (KRW 514.3 billion, 7-year contract).
- PTT Public Company LimitedcoreKSS Line signed a long-term time charter contract with Thailand's state-owned energy company PTT for 1 VLGC vessel (starting March 2026, 2-year contract) as part of the total KRW 8,263 billion deal with BGN Group and PTT.
- GS Caltex CorporationcoreKSS Line signed a KRW 300 billion MR Tanker long-term renewal contract with GS Caltex, a major Korean oil refiner, for continued transportation of refined oil products.
- Hyundai GlovisminorKSS Line signed a long-term time charter contract with Hyundai Glovis for the 5th MR Tanker vessel, expanding the product tanker fleet operations.
- Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS)coreKSS Line participates in LNG transportation through equity stakes in 3 LNG carriers operated by KOGAS (Korea Gas Corporation), enabling participation in LNG shipping business alongside its core LPG and chemical transportation operations.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
KSS Line competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL): One of Japan's largest shipping groups with significant VLGC fleet and chemical tanker operations. Broad incumbent with product tanker and LNG businesses that overlap with KSS Line's portfolio.
- Nippon Yusen (NYK Line): Major Japanese diversified shipping conglomerate with substantial LPG carrier and chemical tanker exposure alongside container, dry bulk, and LNG. Larger scale with broader portfolio than KSS's specialized focus.
- K Line (Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha): Japanese shipping incumbent with tanker division operating VLCCs, product tankers, and chemical tankers. Diversified portfolio offers comparable customer relationships in Asian energy and petrochemical segments.
Direct peers
- Stolt-Nielsen: World's largest chemical tanker operator with parcel tanker fleet serving major chemical and petrochemical customers. Directly comparable to KSS Line's chemical tanker division (Lotte Chemical, LG Chem, Kumho P&B).
- Dorian LPG: US-listed VLGC pure-play with 22 VLGCs operating under long-term and spot charters. Direct competitor in the global VLGC market serving similar LPG trader and petrochemical customer base as KSS Line.
- Avance Gas Holding: Oslo-listed pure-play VLGC operator with dual-fuel newbuilds entering fleet. Closest European-listed peer for VLGC exposure, comparable vessel specs, and overlapping charter customer base.
- BW LPG: World's largest VLGC operator with ~54 vessels, focused exclusively on LPG transportation. Most directly comparable peer given KSS Line's VLGC-centric business and similar customer base of LPG traders and energy majors.
- Odfjell: Norwegian chemical tanker operator serving global petrochemical majors. Comparable to KSS Line's chemical/product tanker segment, with similar regulatory exposure (IMO chemical transport standards) and customer overlap.
- Stealthgas: Smaller LPG carrier operator with fleet of ~50 vessels including MGCs and pressurised LPG carriers. Serves similar LPG trader customer base though at smaller vessel sizes than KSS Line's VLGC focus.
Regional players
- IINO Kaiun Kaisha: Japanese LPG and product tanker operator with comparable VLGC/MGC exposure primarily serving Asian energy and petrochemical customers. Regional competitor with similar fleet composition but Japanese-domiciled charter base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KSS Line social profiles
Digital presenceKSS Line compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
KSS Line financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KSS Line leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
KSS Line funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KSS Line M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KSS Line
What does KSS Line do?
KSS Line provides specialized maritime transportation services for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), anhydrous ammonia, petrochemical liquids, and refined oil products through a fleet of approximately 32 VLGCs, MGCs, chemical carriers, and product tankers deployed primarily under multi-year time charter contracts with global energy majors and petrochemical producers. The company also participates in LNG transportation through equity stakes in three KOGAS-operated LNG carriers, offering an integrated energy logistics service spanning Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, and Australia.
Is KSS Line a public or private company?
KSS Line is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was KSS Line founded?
KSS Line was founded in 1969. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is KSS Line based?
KSS Line is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does KSS Line make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Long-term Time Charter Contracts are the primary driver. The others are LPG and Gas Transportation, petrochemical and Oil Product Transportation and LNG Transportation (Equity Participation).
Who are KSS Line's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), Nippon Yusen (NYK Line) and K Line (Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha). Direct peers are Stolt-Nielsen, Dorian LPG, Avance Gas Holding, BW LPG, Odfjell and Stealthgas. IINO Kaiun Kaisha is listed as a regional player.
Does KSS Line have an API?
No public API is recorded for KSS Line.