The USA’ chief of naval operations visited the shipyards of HD Hyundai and Hanwha Ocean on Saturday to test the highest Korean shipbuilders’ capabilities and potential on strengthening the U.S. Navy’s battleships and naval fleet.
Admiral Daryl Caudle’s go to got here after the Korean authorities in July proposed what it referred to as “make American shipbuilding business nice once more” (MASGA), a $150 billion funding through which Korean corporations will help in reviving the American shipbuilding business. MASGA performed a key function in serving to to finalize the 2 nations’ negotiations concerning the U.S. tariffs, which had lasted for months.
In response to HD Hyundai, Caudle and Kevin Kim, cost d’affaires advert interim on the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, met HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ headquarters in Ulsan. Chung launched Caudle to HD Hyundai’s superior shipbuilding applied sciences and mentioned the right way to enhance the U.S. fleet by way of the 2 nations’ strategic partnerships in naval shipbuilding.
Chung guided Caudle by way of the HD Hyundai subsidiary’s business shipbuilding amenities and the naval ship division devoted to constructing the Aegis destroyers. Caudle boarded the newly launched ROKS Dasan Jeong Yak-yong — the second Aegis destroyer constructed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries — and discovered the ship’s fight programs and operational capabilities. He noticed the development of the third Aegis destroyer scheduled for launch subsequent yr and inspected manufacturing strains for different naval vessels.
“HD Hyundai will help the U.S. shipbuilding business and strengthen the U.S. Navy’s capabilities,” Chung stated. “As blood allies and shut buddies, we are going to work collectively to make sure the success of the MASGA.”
Hanwha Ocean CEO Kim Hee-cheul, left, guides the USA’ Chief of Naval Operations Daryl Caudle, heart, by way of the corporate’s shipyard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, Saturday. Courtesy of Hanwha Ocean
Caudle additionally visited Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, the place U.S. naval ships have had repairs and been returned. On the shipyard, the Hanwha subsidiary has been partaking in upkeep, restore and operation (MRO) missions for U.S. warships.
The corporate’s MRO tasks started in August final yr with the USNS Wally Schirra and continued with the USNS Yukon in November of the identical yr; each ships have been accomplished and returned. The corporate started engaged on the USNS Charles Drew in July and plans to finish it by January.
Guided by Hanwha Ocean CEO Kim Hee-cheul, Caudle checked the corporate’s shipbuilding course of, which makes use of automated welding programs like Lonji, Dandi and Indi for maximized effectivity. The shipyard’s fourth manufacturing unit, the newest plant accomplished final month and devoted to constructing special-purpose vessels utilizing synthetic intelligence and a “sensible commander heart,” was additionally of curiosity for the American customer.
Kim stated Hanwha Ocean is “essentially the most trusted companion” for the U.S. Navy and an “icon of the stronger Seoul-Washington alliance.”
The Korean engineering giants are aiming to develop their market share within the world maritime business by way of their experience in shipbuilding, ship operations and shipyard administration. The continuing modernization of naval forces worldwide can also be boosting the corporations’ market leverage.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, having not too long ago acquired HD Hyundai Mipo, the conglomerate’s mid-size shipbuilder, has been constructing warships for the Philippine Navy since 2020 and final yr signed a cope with the Peruvian Navy to provide vessels. In April, the corporate hosted U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan at its shipyard and gave him a tour of the ROKS Jeongjo the Nice, the primary next-generation Aegis destroyer.
