HD Hyundai to Build New U.S. Shipyard with Kiewit, Targeting 2029 Launch

Agreement signed to establish shipbuilding joint venture "HD KIEWIT SHIPBUILDING"
Construction to begin in 2027... Digital and automated production technologies to be applied
Exploring opportunities in U.S. Navy auxiliary vessels and commercial ships

HD Hyundai is establishing a joint venture with U.S. construction and engineering company Kiewit and will build a new shipyard in the United States. The goal is to begin construction in 2027 and start operations in 2029.

Choi Hannae, head of the Planning Division at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (fifth from left), and Chad Johnson, CEO of Kiewit Maritime (sixth from left), pose for a commemorative photo with officials from both companies after signing an agreement to establish a shipbuilding joint venture in Houston, Texas, on the 22nd (local time). HD Hyundai

HD Hyundai said on October 23 that it had signed an agreement with Kiewit on October 22 (local time) in Houston, Texas, to establish a shipbuilding joint venture, HD KIEWIT SHIPBUILDING. Executives from both companies attended the signing ceremony, including Choi Hannae, head of the planning division at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, and Chad Johnson, CEO of Kiewit Maritime.

The two companies formed a strategic partnership in July and have since pursued cooperation on joint shipbuilding in the United States and the production of ship blocks and modules. Under the agreement, they will combine HD Hyundai's shipbuilding technology and shipyard operating experience with Kiewit's large-scale fabrication and construction capabilities to establish a local production base.

HD KIEWIT SHIPBUILDING plans to build a smart shipyard on an industrial site in the United States. Rather than acquire and restart an existing aging shipyard, the joint venture aims to expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity by constructing a new one. Once fully operational, the shipyard is expected to employ approximately 3,000 people locally. HD Hyundai also plans to train workers through technical education programs and develop a local supply chain.

The new shipyard will be the first in the United States to apply HD Hyundai's Future of Shipyard (FOS) model and digital production technologies. The plan is to use digital twins, automated production systems and robotic welding to manage the entire process, from design to production, on a data-driven basis. These technologies are expected to improve productivity, quality and safety, and address the shortage of skilled workers.

HD KIEWIT SHIPBUILDING will explore business opportunities involving U.S. Navy auxiliary vessels and commercial ships. It will also consider producing and supplying ship blocks and modules to U.S. shipyards, and plans to expand cooperation into port infrastructure in the future.

"By bringing our capabilities together, we will contribute to rebuilding the U.S. shipbuilding industry and expanding shipbuilding cooperation between Korea and the United States, while continuing to identify new business opportunities," said Choi Hannae, head of the planning division at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering.

"Building on Kiewit's capabilities, we will provide the personnel, facilities and expertise required for this extensive, large-scale project," said Chad Johnson, CEO of Kiewit Maritime.

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