Hyundai Heavy Industries initiates a collaborative shipbuilding project in the United States
In a significant move for the US and South Korean shipbuilding sectors, Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) and HD Hyundai have joined forces for a joint shipbuilding project. The venture, currently in its early execution phase, aims to construct medium-sized containerships at ECO’s Tampa Shipyard, with deliveries expected by 2028.
Last month, a delegation of over ten ECO executives and engineers, led by CEO Dino Chouest, visited South Korea for strategic discussions and technical training. The tour included HD Hyundai’s Global R&D Center, shipyards (HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo), and automation facilities. The visit provided the ECO team with valuable insights into HD Hyundai’s advanced shipbuilding technologies, such as robotic welding and digital control systems monitoring vessels worldwide.
The partnership between the two companies extends beyond the construction of ships. They have agreed to explore additional business opportunities, including cooperation in port cranes and enhancing local US shipyard infrastructure and production capacity. ECO engineers will remain in Korea for further hands-on technical training and workshops to refine the joint construction strategy.
The initial cooperation framework was formalized via a Memorandum of Understanding signed in June, committing to joint construction of LNG dual-fuel medium-sized containerships at Tampa Ship, with HD Hyundai also contributing to block fabrication and investing in the technical infrastructure of the US shipyard to boost local capabilities.
HD Hyundai leadership emphasised their support for revitalising the US shipbuilding industry through this project, aiming to create a milestone in Korea-US industrial cooperation in meeting US content requirements and strengthening bilateral economic ties.
The ECO delegation reviewed the operational status of HD Hyundai-built vessels currently deployed around the world at the Digital Insight Center. HD Hyundai demonstrated their use of robotic welding technologies to the ECO delegation, showcasing their development process for automated solutions and their implementation in practical shipyard operations.
This joint project is seen as an example of Korea-US cooperation in the shipbuilding sector, marking a significant Korea-US industrial collaboration in shipbuilding. The partners aim to start jointly building medium-sized container vessels at ECO’s US shipyard by 2028, with the potential for long-term expansion beyond this initial scope, reinforcing US shipbuilding via Korean technological innovation and collaborative industrial development.
The partnership between ECO and HD Hyundai is not limited to shipbuilding, as they are also exploring business opportunities in areas such as port cranes and wealth-management through financing and investing in the local US shipyard infrastructure. The cooperation in the manufacturing sector, particularly in constructing medium-sized containerships, is expected to bring financial gains and contribute to the growth of the US industry.
