US-Korean cooperation aimed at strengthening the US shipbuilding industry has gained another partnership: the shipbuilding group HD Hyundai is joining forces with Kiewit Offshore Service as part of a strategic partnership.
HD Hyundai, one of the world’s largest shipbuilders, and the construction group Kiewit have signed an agreement to this effect, which aims to “collaborate on shipbuilding projects for the US market as well as in other areas of mutual strategic interest”.
The partnership is intended to support the expansion of US shipbuilding capacity announced by the Trump administration and to revitalise the country’s maritime industrial base. It is also intended to expand domestic manufacturing capabilities in the US and create a framework for further cooperation, according to a statement from the American side. Kiewit operates through subsidiaries in the US, Canada, Mexico and Guam. Its portfolio includes construction and engineering services across a wide range of markets, including energy supply, transport, industry, water management, oil, gas and chemicals, building construction and mining. Its 34,500 employees most recently generated a turnover of $18.2 billion. The agreement relates to the subsidiary Kiewit Offshore Service (KOS).
The new partners intend to collaborate on projects supporting shipbuilding programmes in the USA, including the manufacture of ship sections and modules. HD Hyundai brings expertise in ship design, modern manufacturing, procurement and shipbuilding technology, whilst Kiewit contributes its know-how in large-scale manufacturing, construction and the management of complex projects. According to the statement, the aim is to explore opportunities to utilise modern manufacturing processes and best practices to promote the expansion of domestic shipbuilding capacity.
This is not the first partnership between Korean and US companies to be initiated since the publication of Donald Trump’s extensive shipbuilding plans. For example, the Hanwha Group has acquired the US shipyard Philly Shipyard through its shipbuilding division , formerly known as Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering . There have also been political discussions regarding shipyard slots in Korea.
“The United States is a strong ally and an important business partner for us,” said Hannae Choi, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Planning at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering. “Through our collaboration with KOS, we aim to actively support the expansion of US shipbuilding and maritime infrastructure, whilst at the same time exploring further areas of cooperation, including projects in the field of floating structures.”
“Kiewit has a long track record of successfully delivering some of North America’s most complex industrial and marine projects,” added Chad Johnson, President of Kiewit Offshore Services. “By combining our extensive expertise in manufacturing and EPC project delivery with HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding experience, we are creating new opportunities to promote the growth of the US shipbuilding industry whilst strengthening the country’s maritime industrial base for the future.”
