As cooperation between U.S. and South Korean shipbuilders continues to grow, South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has joined forces with General Dynamics NASSCO and DSEC Co., Ltd. in a strategic tri-party alliance. The three companies will collaborate on ship design, manufacturing automation and technology in the US market.
The partnership, announced on December 3, will advance all three companies’ endeavors into commercial, naval, and other government shipbuilding projects, including the U.S. Navy’s Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS).
General Dynamics NASSCO has been the U.S. designer and builder of major naval auxiliary and commercial vessels since the 1950s, delivering over 150 vessels to date.
NASSCO is currently building the U.S. Navy’s 20-ship class of John Lewis fleet oilers and is designing the U.S. Navy’s future submarine tender (AS-X) class.
Recent commercial programs include ConRo ships, containerships, and medium range tankers, all designed with DSEC and other South Korean partners.
“This partnership brings together three extraordinary companies with a track record of success and over 160 years of combined shipbuilding and design experience,” said Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. “Having worked closely with DSEC over the last two decades and now welcoming Samsung Heavy Industries, there is great opportunity in leveraging our expertise and years of learning to execute on the next generation of shipbuilding.”
The agreement comes amid South Korea’s expansion into the U.S. maritime sector.
The United States and South Korea have released details of a trade agreement that includes a $150bn Korean investment in the US shipbuilding sector, approved by the United States.
South Korea and U.S. signed on November 14 a memorandum of understanding implementing the agreement announced on July 30.
Under the agreement, the White House said that South Korea will build nuclear-powered attack submarines as part of the Korea Strategic Trade and Investment deal.
A fact sheet released by the White House said the US gave approval for Seoul to build nuclear-powered attack submarines and that South Korea will invest $150bn in the shipbuilding sector.
In addition, the United States approved the construction of nuclear-powered attack submarines in South Korea.
