Korean shipbuilders step up US shipbuilding cooperation
Korea’s three major shipbuilders — Hanwha Ocean, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), and Samsung Heavy Industries — have announced expanded cooperation with the United States in various areas. This collaboration comes in the wake of the launch of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center as a pivotal moment to strengthen partnerships in naval ship design, smart shipyard development, workforce training, and supply chain expansion.
Hanwha Ocean Signs Professional Services Agreement with Leidos
Hanwha Ocean took a significant step by signing a Professional Services Agreement with Leidos to design the Global Fast Sealift (GFS). This agreement builds on a previous memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on next-generation naval ship design, enhance U.S. shipbuilding capacity, and explore global defense opportunities. The GFS vessel is designed to serve commercial logistics during peacetime and efficiently transport military supplies during conflicts.
Additionally, Hanwha Ocean inked MOUs with Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Delaware County Community College, and Philadelphia business groups to develop shipbuilding workforce training programs and bolster the local supply chain. President Jung In-sub expressed the company’s commitment to contributing to the revitalization of the U.S. shipbuilding industry and the continued progress of Korea’s shipbuilding sector.
HD KSOE Partners with Siemens for Next-Generation Marine Platform
HD KSOE, the shipbuilding intermediate holding company of HD Hyundai, entered into a definitive agreement with Siemens Digital Industries Software to introduce a cutting-edge marine platform. This platform integrates the entire shipbuilding process digitally, from design and production to supply chain management, quality control, and maintenance. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), digital twin technology, and a unified 3D data model, shipyards can facilitate real-time design changes and production data sharing to enhance the modernization of the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
HD KSOE plans to establish a virtual shipyard capable of simulating production processes and equipment operations while pursuing an AI-driven autonomous manufacturing system incorporating robotics and automated production facilities. CEO Kim Hyung-kwan emphasized that AI is not just a productivity tool but an innovative technology that will redefine the shipbuilding industry’s operational standards.
Samsung Heavy Industries Emphasizes Collaboration in Ship Design and Autonomous Vessels
Samsung Heavy Industries showcased its commitment to cooperation in ship design, autonomous vessels, workforce development, and research. The company received approval in principle from the American Bureau of Shipping for the basic design of a 12,000-cubic-meter liquefied natural gas bunkering vessel developed in partnership with Conrad Shipyard.
Furthermore, Samsung Heavy Industries forged a strategic partnership with U.S. startup Saronic Technologies to jointly develop autonomous surface vessels and AI digital solutions. The company also collaborated with MRO partner Vigor Marine Group to establish a training center in the U.S. Pacific Northwest for welding and painting workers utilizing augmented and virtual reality technologies. CEO Choi Sung-an hailed the launch of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center as a significant milestone for bilateral shipbuilding collaboration.
The joint efforts of these Korean shipbuilders with their U.S. counterparts signify a new chapter in enhancing maritime capabilities, fostering innovation, and advancing the global shipbuilding industry.
