HD Hyundai is partnering with Kiewit, the largest construction, engineering, and infrastructure company in the U.S., to establish a new shipyard in the country. This initiative aims to penetrate the U.S. shipbuilding market through the construction of a new facility rather than acquiring an existing aging shipyard.
On October 22, HD Hyundai announced that it signed a contract with Kiewit to establish a shipbuilding joint venture.
Earlier, the two companies formed a strategic partnership in July to collaborate on joint shipbuilding and the production of ship blocks and modules in the U.S.
The contract signing ceremony in Houston was attended by Choi Han-nae, head of planning at HD Korean Shipbuilding, and Chad Johnson, CEO of Kiewit Maritime, along with other key executives from both companies.
The joint venture will be named HD Kiewit Shipbuilding. It reflects the commitment to combine HD Hyundai's world-class technology and shipyard operational expertise with Kiewit's large-scale manufacturing and construction capabilities to create a top-tier shipyard.
HD Kiewit Shipbuilding plans to build a state-of-the-art smart shipyard on industrial land in the U.S. Construction is set to begin in 2027, with operations expected to commence in 2029.
This project is significant as it involves building a new shipyard rather than reviving an existing one. The new facility is anticipated to enhance shipbuilding capacity in the U.S. and contribute to the revitalization and competitiveness of the American shipbuilding industry.
Once operational, the new shipyard is projected to employ approximately 3,000 local workers. HD Hyundai plans to train personnel through technical education and will continue efforts to strengthen the supply chain in the U.S.
The new shipyard will be the first in the U.S. to implement HD Hyundai's Future of Shipyard model and digital production technologies. The company aims to establish a smart shipyard where the entire process, from design to production, is data-driven, incorporating advanced technologies such as digital twins, automated production systems, and robotic welding to enhance productivity, quality, and safety while addressing the skilled labor shortage.
HD Kiewit Shipbuilding will also explore opportunities in the U.S. Navy support vessel sector and commercial shipping, as well as consider producing and supplying ship blocks and modules to U.S. shipyards. In the future, the partnership plans to expand its collaboration into port infrastructure.
Choi Han-nae stated, "The launch of HD Kiewit Shipbuilding is an important milestone that demonstrates our commitment and vision as a strategic partner in the U.S. shipbuilding industry. We will consolidate our capabilities to contribute to the revitalization of the U.S. shipbuilding sector and expand Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation while continuously seeking new business opportunities."
Chad Johnson, CEO of Kiewit Maritime, remarked, "Based on Kiewit's capabilities, we will provide the necessary workforce, facilities, and expertise for this extensive and large-scale project. We expect this to be an opportunity to build a modern shipyard in the U.S. in conjunction with HD Hyundai's world-class shipbuilding expertise."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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