Hanwha Ocean announced on the 8th that U.S. Federal Senator Dave McCormick visited the company's Geoje shipyard on the 7th to review the company's technological capabilities and the current state of Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation.
On this day, Senator McCormick toured an advanced smart yard equipped with automation equipment and a warship construction site, confirming Hanwha Ocean's shipbuilding infrastructure and production capacity. In particular, he boarded the "Pyeongtaek," a frigate under construction at the Geoje shipyard as part of the Ulsan-class Batch-III (Chungnam-class) program, to examine Hanwha Ocean's warship technology. The "Pyeongtaek" is the fifth vessel in the Ulsan-class Batch-III project and is the most advanced among ships of the same class.
At the event, Hanwha Ocean explained the company's role in expanding Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation and plans for linkage with Hanwha Philly Shipyard, conveying its will to broaden cooperation for the mutual growth of both countries' shipbuilding industries.
Senator McCormick stated, "I was deeply impressed by the high level of technology and capabilities that Hanwha Ocean possesses in all aspects, including technology, productivity, quality, and safety," adding, "I expect Hanwha Ocean to make a significant contribution to the development of Philadelphia's shipbuilding industry through Philly Shipyard."
Senator McCormick is a U.S. Federal Senator representing Pennsylvania, where Hanwha Philly Shipyard is located. Last April, he visited Hanwha Philly Shipyard together with Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, emphasizing the need for rebuilding the U.S. shipbuilding industry. In August of the same year, he publicly supported Hanwha Group's plan to invest $5 billion in Hanwha Philly Shipyard.
Hanwha Ocean is focusing on advancing "MASGA," a Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation project. At the opening ceremony of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center last July, it established a comprehensive industrial cooperation framework with key U.S. partners covering warship design and development, shipbuilding workforce training, and supply chain construction.
Additionally, Hanwha Ocean is conducting joint design work on global strategic transport ships with Raytheon Gibbs & Cox, a U.S. warship design specialist. It is also collaborating with Hanwha Philly Shipyard and Delaware County Community College to train shipbuilding personnel.
Hanwha Philly Shipyard is accelerating investments to expand production capacity. The current workforce size has increased by approximately two times compared to the early acquisition period in 2024, reaching about 2,500 people. It has also achieved results such as securing an order for a Maritime Range Instrumentation Vessel (MRIV) from the U.S. Maritime Administration last July. Currently, it has delivered four National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV), and is scheduled to deliver the final fifth vessel next year.
Jung In-seop, President of Hanwha Ocean Gyeong Yeong-ji-won (Head), stated, "Hanwha Ocean is striving to expand production capacity centered on Pennsylvania to contribute to the rebuilding of the U.S. shipbuilding industry," adding, "Going forward, we will broaden cooperation with local U.S. partners to lead the mutual growth of the Korea-U.S. shipbuilding industries."
in INDUSTRY
