HD Hyundai Begins Joint Shipbuilding in the U.S.

[Financial News] HD Hyundai has officially started activities for joint shipbuilding in the U.S.
HD Hyundai's U.S. shipbuilding partner, a delegation from Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO), visited Korea from the 22nd to the 23rd to discuss detailed cooperation plans for joint construction of container carriers in the U.S.
A group of about 10 ECO delegates, including CEO Dino Chouest and key management and engineers, visited HD Hyundai's Global R&D Center, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and HD Hyundai Mipo Yard during this period to directly verify the technology and shipbuilding capabilities of HD Hyundai, the world's No.1 shipbuilder.
In June, the two companies signed an 'MOU for Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership' to jointly build medium-sized container carriers at ECO's shipyard by 2028, and agreed to expand the range of cooperation to include port cranes, which are highly security-sensitive. Last month, HD Hyundai dispatched about 10 experts to ECO's shipyard to inspect production processes and facilities, and provided consulting to improve productivity.
The ECO delegation visited HD Hyundai's Global R&D Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, to receive a briefing on HD Hyundai's advanced technology and construction capabilities. They visited the Digital Control Center to observe the operational status of ships built by HD Hyundai that are currently in operation worldwide. They also discussed the application of automation solutions and robotic welding technology on-site. The expansion of local infrastructure and enhancement of production capabilities are deemed essential for expanding construction cooperation in the U.S.
A meeting between the top management of both companies was also held. At this meeting, Jung Ki-sun, Senior Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, and Dino Chouest, CEO of ECO, agreed to not only jointly build container carriers but also to jointly explore future business opportunities and expand cooperation.
Senior Vice Chairman Jung Ki-sun said, "HD Hyundai supports efforts to rebuild the U.S. shipbuilding industry," adding, "The joint shipbuilding work between the two companies in the U.S. will be a great example of Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation."
The ECO delegation visited Ulsan's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo Yard to tour the shipbuilding site. They boarded an actual large container carrier to observe HD Hyundai's design and production processes, dock operation and management methods, and automation systems. About 10 ECO engineers, who accompanied the delegation to Korea, will stay for about a week to learn advanced shipbuilding methods and attend a technical exchange workshop between the two companies to discuss detailed joint construction plans.
ECO is a shipbuilding group that owns five merchant shipbuilding yards in the U.S. It currently builds and operates 300 offshore support vessels (OSVs), and is evaluated as having global competitiveness in the OSV sector.
  


ggg@fnnews.com Kang Gu-gwi Reporter