[THE INVESTOR] Samsung Heavy Industries said on Jan. 10 that it is aiming to clinch US$7.8 billion worth of new orders this year.

The figure marks a 24 percent hike from last year’s tally.

The shipyard also aims to post US$6.4 billion in sales this year, up 29 percent from last year, it said in a regulatory filing.

Samsung Heavy secured some US$6 billion worth of new orders last year, lower than its initial target of US$8.2 billion.

The company said demand for commercial vessels will continue to remain firm and orders for offshore facilities will come in as well.

Earlier, its local rival Hyundai Heavy Industries said it will seek to win US$8 billion in new shipbuilding orders in 2019.

By Song Seung-hyun and newswires (ssh@heraldcorp.com)