0
Jung In-sub, president of Hanwha Ocean's Support Business Division (second from right), and U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (far left) pose for a commemorative photo at Hanwha Ocean's Geoje shipyard on the 7th. / Hanwha Ocean

Hanwha Ocean has discussed measures to expand Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation with U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) at its Geoje shipyard.

Hanwha Ocean announced on the 8th that Senator McCormick visited the Geoje shipyard on the afternoon of the 7th to tour smart yards equipped with automated systems as well as naval vessel construction sites.

Senator McCormick also boarded the ROKS Pyeongtaek, an Ulsan-class Batch-III (Chungnam-class) frigate under construction, to inspect naval shipbuilding technologies firsthand. The Pyeongtaek is the fifth ship in the Ulsan-class Batch-III program. Hanwha Ocean then briefed him on current bilateral shipbuilding cooperation linked with Hanwha Philly Shipyard and outlined future directions.

Senator McCormick stated, "I was deeply impressed by Hanwha Ocean's exceptional level of technology and capabilities across all aspects, including engineering, productivity, quality, and safety," adding, "I expect Hanwha Ocean to make significant contributions to reviving Philadelphia's shipbuilding industry through Philly Shipyard."

Senator McCormick represents Pennsylvania, where Hanwha Philly Shipyard is located. In April last year, he visited Philly Shipyard alongside U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to underscore the necessity of revitalizing U.S. shipbuilding. In August of the same year, he publicly endorsed Hanwha Group's $5 billion investment plan for Philly Shipyard.

Hanwha Ocean has been broadening Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation anchored by its local production base in the U.S. Following the launch ceremony of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center in July this year, the company established sector-specific cooperation frameworks with U.S. partners covering naval ship design and development, workforce training, and supply chain development.

It is co-designing a global strategic transport ship with Leidos Gibbs & Cox, a U.S. naval architecture firm. The company is also training shipyard personnel in conjunction with Hanwha Philly Shipyard and Delaware County Community College, while establishing regional supply chains with local business organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.

Driven by hiring and training initiatives, the workforce at Hanwha Philly Shipyard has roughly doubled to approximately 2,500 personnel compared to the initial post-acquisition phase in 2024. Earlier in July, it secured an order from the U.S. Maritime Administration for a Missile Range Instrumentation Ship (MRIV). It has delivered four National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs) to date, with the fifth and final ship scheduled for delivery next year.

Jung In-sub, president of Hanwha Ocean's Support Business Division, said, "To contribute to revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding industry, we are focusing on expanding production capacity centered in Pennsylvania," adding, "We will continue broadening cooperation with local U.S. partners to drive shared growth across both nations' shipbuilding industries."

                                                                                                              Kim Han-seul