South Korea’s shipbuilding and heavy industries group HD Hyundai and North America’s construction and engineering organization Kiewit Offshore Services have entered into what they describe as “a strategic partnership agreement” to collaborate on shipbuilding projects serving the U.S. market and other areas of mutual strategic interest.
The partnership is intended to support the expansion of U.S. shipbuilding capacity, strengthen the country’s maritime industrial base, increase domestic manufacturing capability, and provide a framework for the companies to explore additional opportunities that leverage their complementary capabilities.
The agreement was signed on July 16 at Kiewit Offshore Services’ headquarters in Ingleside, Texas.
Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate on opportunities supporting shipbuilding programs in the U.S., including the fabrication of ship blocks and modules.
The partnership combines HD Hyundai’s expertise in ship design, advanced manufacturing, procurement and shipbuilding technology with Kiewit’s capabilities in large-scale fabrication, construction and complex project execution.
Together, the companies will explore opportunities to leverage advanced manufacturing methods and proven production practices to help expand domestic shipbuilding capacity.
“The United States is a strong ally and a key business partner for us,” said Hannae Choi, executive vice president and head of the corporate planning office at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering. “Through our cooperation with KOS, we intend to actively support the expansion of U.S. shipbuilding and maritime infrastructure, while also exploring additional areas of collaboration, including opportunities involving floating assets.”
“Kiewit has a long history of delivering some of North America’s most complex industrial and marine projects,” added Chad Johnson, president of Kiewit Offshore Services. “By combining our extensive fabrication and EPC project execution expertise with HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding experience, we’re creating new opportunities to support the growth of U.S. shipbuilding while helping strengthen the nation’s maritime industrial base for the future.”
