Princess Anne of the British Royal Family visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries during her trip to South Korea. She inspected the company's shipbuilding capabilities and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between South Korea and the UK.
On July 14, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries reported that Princess Anne, along with Sir Timothy Laurence and Colin Crooks, the British Ambassador to South Korea, visited the company's headquarters in Ulsan.
During the visit, Jeong Gi-seon, Chairman of HD Hyundai, and other executives, including Vice Chairman Lee Sang-kyun and President Joo Won-ho, welcomed Princess Anne and presented the company's world-class shipbuilding technology and competitiveness. They exchanged views on cooperation in the shipbuilding and marine industries between South Korea and the UK.
This visit comes as the British government promotes the development of its shipbuilding and marine industries. Princess Anne toured the shipbuilding and special vessel construction sites and the engine plant at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, where she learned about the company's shipbuilding technology and the status of collaborations with British defense firms such as Rolls-Royce and Babcock.
Rolls-Royce has maintained a steady partnership with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries since 2012, when it began collaborating on the South Korean Navy's frigate project. Rolls-Royce supplies the core propulsion equipment, the MT30 gas turbine, while HD Hyundai integrates and supplies it as a propulsion package. This solution is also applied to the South Korean Navy's next-generation frigates.
Babcock has been supplying survival equipment for ship crews and has been associated with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries since 2013, following the delivery of rescue equipment for submarines. Many Babcock products are being used in vessels, including the Philippine offshore patrol vessel currently under construction by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.
During the meeting, Chairman Jeong stated, "The UK is not just a partner but a special ally that has been with HD Hyundai since its inception. Based on our top-notch technology and shipbuilding capabilities, we will contribute to the development of the UK’s shipbuilding and marine industry."
Meanwhile, HD Hyundai is accelerating the diversification of its future ship portfolio, including expanding the types of vessels that can utilize small modular reactor (SMR) propulsion.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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