HD Hyundai Heavy Industries NAVAL & SPECIAL SHIP

HD Hyundai Signs MOU with Huntington Ingalls at SAS 2025 to Boost U.S. Naval Market Expansion

HD Hyundai Signs MOU with Huntington Ingalls at SAS 2025 to Boost U.S. Naval Market ExpansionHD Hyundai has taken a major step toward entering the U.S. defense shipbuilding market by signing a cooperation agreement with Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), America’s largest naval shipbuilder.On September 7 (local time), HD Hyundai announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with HII to collaborate on productivity improvements and advanced shipbuilding technologies. The signing ceremony took place at the Huntington Ingalls exhibition booth during Sea Air Space 2025 (SAS 2025) in Washington, D.C., with Joo Won-ho, Head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Special & Naval Ship Business Unit, and Brian Blanchette, HII Executive Vice President and President of Ingalls Shipbuilding, as the official signatories.HII operates the Ingalls Shipbuilding yard in Mississippi, the largest surface shipbuilder in the United States. The yard constructs two-thirds of the U.S. Navy’s Aegis destroyers as well as all of its large amphibious assault ships and major cutters.Under the MOU, the two companies will pool their expertise to maximize productivity in naval ship construction, share best practices to improve cost efficiency and delivery schedules, and cooperate on digital shipyard initiatives involving automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence. They will also promote workforce training, supply chain participation, and explore opportunities for future joint investments.The agreement marks the first collaboration between Korea and America’s leading naval shipbuilders, both of which possess world-class Aegis destroyer capabilities. It is expected to serve as a catalyst for stronger trust and partnership in shipbuilding and defense cooperation between the two allied nations.Joo Won-ho of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries stated: “Through this cooperation between Korea and the U.S., both of our nations’ leading shipbuilders can advance shipbuilding capabilities while also contributing to stronger security cooperation between the two allies.” Brian Blanchette of Huntington Ingalls added: “Today’s agreement is an important first step in strengthening shipbuilding capacity through allied cooperation. By combining our expertise, we can deliver high-quality naval vessels that will underpin maritime security for both nations.” In addition to the MOU with HII, HD Hyundai achieved other milestones at SAS 2025: it obtained design approval from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a lightweight naval auxiliary support ship, and signed another MOU with Fairbanks Morse Defense, a key U.S. naval equipment supplier, for local supply chain cooperation. Furthermore, HD Hyundai’s Naval & Research Institute has recently engaged in discussions with the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) on joint research and development for next-generation advanced naval ship designs—further evidence of the company’s commitment to accelerating its entry into the U.S. naval shipbuilding market.

2025-04-08

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Delivers Philippine Navy Corvette Five Months Early

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Delivers Philippine Navy Corvette Five Months EarlyHD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) announced on March 31 that it has delivered the first 3,200-ton class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Philippine Navy, BRP Miguel Malvar, five months ahead of schedule.This marks the third consecutive early delivery of a Philippine Navy vessel by HD HHI. The company previously handed over the 2,600-ton frigate BRP Jose Rizal one month ahead of schedule in 2021, further underscoring its world-class competitiveness in naval ship construction. The Miguel Malvar also carries two propeller blades originally intended for the former ROKS Chungju, which was transferred from the Republic of Korea Navy to the Philippine Navy in 2019 and renamed BRP Conrado Yap. The inclusion of these components is seen as a meaningful symbol of the close naval partnership and enduring friendship between Korea and the Philippines.

2025-03-31

HD Hyundai Launches Joint Keel-Laying Ceremony for Four Naval Vessels in Peru

HD Hyundai Launches Joint Keel-Laying Ceremony for Four Naval Vessels in PeruHD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) has officially marked the start of its major naval project in Peru, signaling the beginning of Korea’s defense industry expansion into Latin America.On January 10, 2025 (local time), HD HHI held a joint keel-laying and steel-cutting ceremony at SIMA Shipyard, Peru’s state-owned naval shipbuilder, for four vessels to be delivered to the Peruvian Navy. The project covers three ship types—a frigate, an offshore patrol vessel, and a landing ship—totaling four units.The event was attended by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, Minister of Defense Walter Astudillo, Navy Commander Luis José Polar Figari, Chief of Naval Staff César Ernesto Colunge Pinto, and HD HHI’s Head of Special & Naval Ship Business Unit, Joo Won-ho.The ships will be constructed locally at SIMA facilities, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026. HD HHI will provide advanced design expertise and production know-how, while also partnering with local Peruvian equipment suppliers to strengthen productivity and competitiveness in Peru’s shipbuilding sector.This “Peru Naval Project” stems from a ₩640.6 billion (approx. USD 480 million) contract signed in April 2024. As a result of coordinated efforts between the Korean government and industry under the “Team Korea” framework, the deal is regarded as a model case for future overseas defense exports.President Dina Boluarte expressed her confidence at the ceremony, stating: “With this keel-laying, I believe the project to build ships that will safeguard Peru’s maritime sovereignty will progress smoothly.” HD HHI’s Joo Won-ho added: “Today marks the opening chapter of Korea’s naval shipbuilding presence in Latin America. Based on technology and trust, we are committed to successfully executing this project and further strengthening defense cooperation between Korea and Peru.” As part of broader defense collaboration, HD HHI is also supporting a Naval Architecture Training Program in partnership with the University of Ulsan. Beginning January 13, 12 engineers from SIMA Shipyard will undergo a two-week training course in Korea to enhance technical expertise. Looking ahead, HD HHI plans to expand its “Pan-Pacific Belt Vision”, establishing regional hubs in Peru, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. The strategy includes local partnerships, joint shipbuilding, and standardized technology transfer packages, reinforcing the company’s leadership in global naval shipbuilding.

2025-01-17

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Delivers State-of-the-Art Aegis Destroyer Jeongjo the Great to ROK Navy

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Delivers State-of-the-Art Aegis Destroyer Jeongjo the Great to ROK NavyHD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) has officially handed over the ROKS Jeongjo the Great (DDG), Korea’s newest world-class Aegis destroyer, to the Republic of Korea Navy.On November 27, HD HHI held a delivery signing ceremony at its Ulsan headquarters for the 8,200-ton Jeongjo the Great, the first ship of the KDX-III Batch-II class. The event was attended by Cho Hyun-ki, Director General of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration’s Force Support Program, Rear Admiral Kwak Kwang-seop, Director of Naval Headquarters’ Plans and Management, Rear Admiral Park Tae-kyu, Commander of the Navy’s 8th Combat Training Squadron, as well as Ulsan City Council Vice Chairman Kim Jong-seop. From HD HHI, CEO Lee Sang-gyun and Vice President Joo Won-ho, Head of the Special & Naval Ship Business Unit, joined the ceremony.Also present were international dignitaries including U.S. Consul General Nolan Barkhouse, Ecuadorian Ambassador to Korea Patricio Esteban Troya Suarez, Polish Chargé d’Affaires Artur Gradziuk, and representatives from Morocco, Chile, Thailand, and Peru, among others—over 20 officials from seven countries who came to witness the excellence of Korean naval shipbuilding. Following the ceremony, the guests toured the yard to view the new frigate ROKS Chungnam, which is scheduled for Navy delivery next month.The Jeongjo the Great is the fourth Aegis destroyer designed and built in Korea with indigenous technology. It is equipped with the latest Aegis Combat System, multifunction phased-array radar, Korea’s independently developed integrated sonar suite, the Korean Vertical Launching System (KVLS), and ballistic missile interceptors, giving it full-spectrum capability to detect, track, and intercept ballistic missiles.Construction milestones include the contract signing in 2019, keel laying in 2021, and launch in July 2022. The ship successfully completed more than 550 rigorous trials, including maximum speed tests, before timely delivery to the Navy.With this achievement, HD HHI further enhances its reputation for excellence in performance, cost control, and delivery schedules. The ship follows on-time deliveries of key naval assets including the ROKS Cheonan and ROKS Chuncheon frigates and the 3,000-ton submarine ROKS Shin Chae-ho. The Jeongjo the Great attracted wide international attention during its construction, with visits from major global defense officials, including U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro.Joo Won-ho, Head of HD HHI’s Special & Naval Ship Business Unit, said: “We are proud to deliver one of the world’s most advanced Aegis destroyers through close collaboration with DAPA, the Navy, ADD, and DTaQ. HD Hyundai will continue to work with the government as ‘Team Korea, Team Shipbuilding’ to drive K-defense exports worldwide.” Looking ahead, HD HHI is preparing for the launch of the second Batch-II destroyer next year, has already begun construction of the third unit, and continues to lead naval exports, including the upcoming delivery of a Philippine offshore patrol vessel and joint development of four naval ships for Peru.

2024-11-27

HD Hyundai Launches Development of Korea’s First Integrated Design-to-Production Digital Platform for Smart Shipyards

HD Hyundai Launches Development of Korea’s First Integrated Design-to-Production Digital Platform for Smart ShipyardsHD Hyundai has become the first shipbuilder in Korea to embark on the full-scale development of a digital platform designed to integrate ship design and production processes, paving the way for the realization of next-generation smart shipyards.On November 20, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), together with affiliates HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, held a briefing at HHI’s Ulsan headquarters to announce the project. The event was attended by leading platform solution providers including Siemens, Dassault Systèmes, AVEVA, NAPA, and Cadmatic, all of which are participating as technology partners.HD Hyundai had previously signed development agreements with these solution providers and completed preliminary preparations for the launch of the platform project.Currently, shipbuilding relies on multiple independent digital systems: CAD (Computer-Aided Design) for 3D ship modeling, PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) for managing the entire lifecycle of vessels, and DM (Digital Manufacturing) for planning, analyzing, and optimizing manufacturing processes. The new Integrated Design-to-Production Platform will unify these systems into a single digital ecosystem, enabling seamless data management from initial design through final production. By eliminating data silos and inefficiencies, HD Hyundai aims to achieve significant productivity gains and process innovation.The company plans to collaborate with the solution providers through next year to develop initial platform prototypes. From these, the most optimized solution for the shipbuilding industry will be selected in 2026 for detailed development. Full-scale implementation is targeted for completion in 2028 after approximately two years of development.Once operational, the platform will create a “virtuous cycle” of shipbuilding by analyzing production-site data to identify issues and feeding the insights back into design modifications, improving both ship quality and manufacturing efficiency.The platform will also serve as a critical foundation for HD Hyundai’s Future of Shipyard (FOS) initiative, which aims to establish a fully digitalized and automated smart shipyard by 2030.A representative of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries stated: “As competition for leadership in the global shipbuilding industry intensifies, the development of this integrated platform will accelerate our vision of the smart shipyard of the future, securing sustainable competitiveness for Korean shipbuilding.”

2024-11-20

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Secures Korea’s Largest-Ever Naval Export Contract to Latin America

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Secures Korea’s Largest-Ever Naval Export Contract to Latin AmericaHD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) has signed Korea’s largest-ever naval export contract in Latin America, marking a major milestone for the country’s defense industry.On November 16 (local time), HD HHI finalized a ₩640.6 billion (approx. USD 480 million) joint production agreement with Peru’s state-owned SIMA Shipyard for the local construction of four naval vessels. The signing, held at the Naval Club (Centro Naval de San Borja) in Lima, came just three weeks after HD HHI was selected as the preferred bidder.The ceremony was attended by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, Prime Minister Gustavo Lino Adrianzen Olaya, Minister of Defense Walter Astudillo Chavez, Minister of Economy and Finance Jose Arista Arbildo, Navy Commander Luis Jose Polar Figari, and SIMA President Cesar Augusto Benavides Iraola. From the Korean side, participants included Choi Jong-wook, Ambassador of Korea to Peru, along with officials from DAPA, the Navy, and KOTRA. HD HHI was represented by Vice President Joo Won-ho, Head of the Special & Naval Ship Business Unit.The project covers the construction of one 3,400-ton frigate, one 2,200-ton offshore patrol vessel, and two 1,400-ton landing ships, all to be built at SIMA’s facilities in Peru. HD HHI will provide design, equipment supply, and technical support, while SIMA will carry out final assembly. Deliveries to the Peruvian Navy are scheduled progressively through 2030.Through this contract, HD HHI has secured strategic partner status with the Peruvian government and navy for the next 15 years. This status positions the company as the front-runner for follow-on orders that include five additional frigates, three OPVs, and two more landing ships, further expanding opportunities for future contracts.The deal represents a “Team Korea” achievement, made possible through coordinated support from the Ministry of National Defense, the Navy, DAPA, the Coast Guard, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Korean Embassy in Peru, and KOTRA. It is expected to serve as a model case for expanding Korea’s global defense exports.At the signing, HD HHI’s Joo Won-ho stated: “We are committed to investing our advanced technologies and extensive experience to support the modernization and combat readiness of the Peruvian Navy. Together with SIMA, we aim to strengthen its shipbuilding capabilities and establish Peru as HD Hyundai’s hub for Latin America.” Peruvian President Dina Boluarte added: “Today marks a historic milestone as we set out to build four naval vessels in partnership with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. This project will contribute not only to strengthening our naval power but also to advancing Peru’s broader industrial capabilities. The government will provide its full support to ensure success.” Since delivering an 8,400-ton logistics support ship to New Zealand in 1987, HD HHI has exported a total of 18 naval vessels abroad. Notably, in 2022 the company secured a contract for six 2,200-ton offshore patrol vessels for the Philippine Navy, further solidifying its position as a leading global naval shipbuilder.

2024-04-24