U.S. Shipbuilder HII and South Korea's HD Hyundai Join Forces to Boost Global Ship Building
National Harbor, MD — In a move that could reshape the future of shipbuilding, U.S. defense contractor HII has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to explore joint efforts in speeding up ship production for both military and commercial use.
The agreement was signed during the Navy League's Sea-Air-Space conference, highlighting growing ties between American and South Korean shipbuilders. The partnership brings together HII—known for building the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines—with HHI, one of the world's largest shipbuilders.
Initially, the collaboration will focus on sharing technology and best practices. HII also plans to host a delegation from HHI at its U.S. facilities to deepen the exchange. Future steps may include outsourcing certain ship components to improve efficiency.
"This agreement shows our commitment to expanding U.S. shipbuilding capacity to support national security," said Brian Blanchette, Executive Vice President of HII and President of Ingalls Shipbuilding. "By teaming up with global leaders like HHI, we can deliver high-quality ships faster and more efficiently."
According to HII, the partnership aims to combine the strengths of both companies to drive innovation, improve production speed, and support the global defense sector.
HHI's naval division CEO, Won-ho Joo, called the partnership a "milestone" and said it opens new doors for both companies to grow and better serve their customers.
This collaboration comes as the U.S. Navy seeks to increase ship and submarine output. Former Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro has encouraged foreign investment in U.S. shipyards, noting that international funding could help boost production.
In a related move, South Korean defense firm Hanwha acquired Philly Shipyard last year, signaling a broader trend of South Korean investment in U.S. shipbuilding infrastructure.