Korea-US Shipbuilding Partnership Accelerates... Hanwha Ocean Embarks on Joint Development of U.S. Naval Vessels

One Contract and Two MOUs Signed with U.S. Institutions


Initiatives Launched for Vessel Development, Workforce Training, and Supply Chain Construction

Hanwha Ocean (President & CEO: Heecheol Kim) is launching joint development of naval vessels with major U.S. institutions and will also promote shipbuilding workforce training and supply chain construction. The company aims to accelerate the expansion of Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation.

Hanwha Ocean announced on the 24th that it signed one contract and two MOUs at the opening ceremony of the Korea-US Shipbuilding Cooperation Center held in Washington, D.C., United States, on the 23rd (local time).

Firstly, Hanwha Ocean concluded a professional service contract with Leidos Gibbs & Cox, a U.S.-based naval design specialist, for the joint design of the Global Fast Sealift strategic transport vessel.

At the opening ceremony of the Korea-US Shipbuilding Cooperation Center, Hanwha Ocean stood before the cameras after signing a "Professional Services Agreement" with Leidos Gibbs & Cox for the joint design of a global strategic transport ship. From the left: Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Jeong Inseop, President and Head of Management Support at Hanwha Ocean; Mike Rickels, Vice President of Leidos Gibbs & Cox; Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

This expands the earlier MOU signed in April to strengthen naval vessel construction capabilities for the U.S. and allied navies. The two companies will jointly begin designing the Global Fast Sealift and will co-develop related technologies and establish an integrated design quality assurance system.

Hanwha Ocean will be responsible for ship construction technology, while Leidos Gibbs & Cox will provide ship design and engineering expertise. Having designed over 70% of U.S. Navy surface ships since World War II, the company brings significant experience to the project. Both sides plan to offer this proven platform to the U.S. and global markets.

The Global Fast Sealift will serve commercial logistics transport purposes during peacetime and function as a strategic asset for rapid military logistics deployment in emergencies. It is a dual-use platform, designed to consider both national security and economic efficiency.

Hanwha Ocean also signed an MOU with Hanwha Philly Shipyard and Delaware County Community College.

The MOU focuses on shipbuilding technology education and workforce development. The parties will jointly develop a training program for instructors to foster U.S. shipbuilding technology talent and will work to secure local skilled labor.

Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Philly Shipyard are taking a commemorative photo after signing an MOU with Delaware County Community College for cooperation in shipbuilding technology education and development. From left to right: Kim Jung-gwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Jeong Inseop, President and Head of Management Support at Hanwha Ocean; David Kim, CEO of Hanwha Philly Shipyard; Marta Cronin, President of Delaware County Community College; Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

Delaware County Community College is a two-year higher education institution located in eastern Pennsylvania, operating community-focused technical education and workforce development programs. It is currently in charge of providing theoretical training within the Hanwha Philly Shipyard apprenticeship program.

Additionally, Hanwha Ocean has signed an MOU on shipbuilding supply chain cooperation with Hanwha Philly Shipyard, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Growth Partnership.

The company plans to identify local shipbuilding equipment suppliers and build the regional shipbuilding industry ecosystem, thereby also enhancing the production capacity of Hanwha Philly Shipyard.

Jeong Inseop, President and Head of Management Support at Hanwha Ocean, emphasized, "Hanwha Ocean is ready to contribute to both the revitalization of the U.S. shipbuilding industry and the advancement of Korea's shipbuilding sector." He added, "By focusing on the local production base and collaborating in the fields most needed by the U.S., we will be the driving force behind the MASGA Project."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.