HD Hyundai Forms U.S. Shipbuilding Joint Venture

HD Hyundai is accelerating its push into the North American market by joining hands with Kiewit, the largest construction and engineering company in the United States, to directly build a shipyard in the country.

HD Hyundai said it signed an agreement with Kiewit in Houston on Oct. 22 local time to establish the shipbuilding joint venture “HD KIEWIT SHIPBUILDING.”

The joint venture, HD Kiewit Shipbuilding, plans to newly build an advanced smart shipyard on an industrial site in the United States. It aims to begin construction in 2027 and start full-scale operations in 2029. In particular, the project is differentiated by its decision to build a new shipyard from the ground up, rather than acquiring and renovating an aging existing yard.

The new shipyard will become the first in the United States to adopt HD Hyundai’s “Future of Shipyard” model and digital production technologies now being pursued by the company. Advanced technologies, including digital twin, automated production systems and robotic welding, will be applied across the entire process from design to production to establish a data-based operating system. Through this, the company plans to improve productivity and quality while also addressing the chronic shortage of skilled workers in the U.S. shipbuilding industry.

This story was originally published by Hellenic Shipping News. Read the full story at Hellenic Shipping News →