HD Hyundai will build a new shipyard in the United States.
HD Hyundai said Thursday (local time) that it signed a contract with Kiewit, the largest construction, engineering, and infrastructure company in the U.S., to establish a shipbuilding joint venture (JV).
The two companies had previously formed a strategic partnership in July and have been promoting cooperation on joint shipbuilding and the production of ship blocks and modules locally in the U.S. Choi Han-nae, head of the Planning Division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and Chad Johnson, CEO of Kiewit Maritime, along with other key executives from both companies, attended the contract signing ceremony held in Houston, Texas.
The joint venture was named "HD KIEWIT SHIPBUILDING (HD Kiewit Shipbuilding)." The plan is to build a shipyard that sets new standards for the U.S. shipbuilding industry by combining HD Hyundai's shipbuilding technology and shipyard operational know-how with Kiewit's large-scale manufacturing and construction capabilities.
HD Kiewit Shipbuilding will construct an advanced smart shipyard on land designated by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy within the United States. The goal is to break ground next year and begin full operations in 2029.
HD Hyundai explained that this project is significant because it is a "greenfield" project involving the construction of a new shipyard, rather than acquiring and reactivating an existing aging shipyard.
Through the new shipyard, the company plans to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity in the U.S., accelerate the establishment of a shipbuilding ecosystem, and contribute to the reconstruction and strengthening of competitiveness in the American shipbuilding industry.
Local employment is expected to reach approximately 3,000 people. HD Hyundai will cultivate specialized personnel through technical training while also working to strengthen the supply chain within the United States.
The new shipyard will be the first U.S. shipyard to apply the "Future of Shipyard" model and digital production technologies being promoted by HD Hyundai. The company plans to build a smart shipyard that operates all processes from design to production on a data basis by introducing advanced technologies such as digital twins, automated production systems, and robotic welding. This is intended to simultaneously improve productivity, quality, and safety while addressing the shortage of skilled labor.
HD Kiewit Shipbuilding will seek business opportunities in the fields of U.S. Navy auxiliary ships and commercial vessels. It is also considering a business to manufacture and supply ship blocks and modules for U.S. shipyards. In the future, the company plans to expand the scope of cooperation into the port infrastructure sector.
Chad Johnson, CEO of Kiewit Maritime, said, "Based on Kiewit's capabilities, we will provide the personnel, facilities, and know-how necessary for this extensive and large-scale project."
Choi Han-nae, Head of the Planning Division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated, "The launch of HD Kiewit Shipbuilding is an important milestone demonstrating HD Hyundai's will and vision as a strategic partner in the U.S. shipbuilding industry," adding, "We will concentrate our efforts to contribute to the reconstruction of the U.S. shipbuilding industry and the expansion of Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation, while continuously discovering new business opportunities."
in INDUSTRY
