Korea–US shipbuilding centre opens in Washington amidst industry push

Fifteen MOUs strengthen shipbuilding supply chains, workforce, and R&D ties.

South Korea and the US have opened the Korea–US Shipbuilding Partnership Center (KUSPC) in Washington, D.C., as Korean shipbuilders seek a larger role in the US shipbuilding industry and its planned $150b investment programme.

The centre was launched on 23 July 2026 by South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) and the US Department of Commerce, following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on 8 May that established the Korea–US Shipbuilding Partnership Initiative.

KUSPC will serve as a hub connecting governments, shipyards, universities, research institutes, and investors as South Korean companies expand their presence in the US shipbuilding market.

“With government support, KUSPC will bring Korea’s shipbuilding technologies to shipyards on both US coasts and advance the $150b shipbuilding investment,” said, MOTIR Minister JK Kim.

Kim called on the US government to support the investment through orders, incentives, and regulatory relief.

The opening ceremony was attended by around 130 government officials and business leaders from both countries.

Fifteen MOUs were signed during the ceremony covering four areas: Team Korea formation, supply chain cooperation, workforce development, and joint research and development.

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Hanwha Ocean, Samsung Heavy Industries, the Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association, the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering, and KUSPC formed “Team Korea” to combine shipbuilding capabilities and help Korean companies enter the US market.

The agreements cover ship design and production systems, supplier networks, maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities, and shipyard productivity improvements.

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and Siemens Industry Software will develop digital solutions for ship design and production.

Hanwha Ocean will work with the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia to expand local participation in shipbuilding supply chains.

Workforce initiatives include Hanwha Philly Shipyard supporting shipbuilding skills training at Delaware County Community College and Samsung Heavy Industries partnering with Vigor Marine Group to establish a maritime training centre using virtual and augmented reality welding systems.

Korea’s government will fund a five-year Korea–US collaborative research programme worth about $80m, covering eight projects involving artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous navigation, and automated shipbuilding processes.

The research programme includes projects on ship design optimisation, autonomous aluminium welding, automated painting of large ship blocks, and autonomous navigation.

KUSPC Director Lee Jong-geon said the centre would provide support for US shipyards through productivity consulting, workforce training, and joint research.

“We will turn the $150b investment into tangible results and help restore the US shipbuilding industry’s competitiveness,” Lee said.

KUSPC will receive about $4.5m (KRW6.6b) in Korean government funding for 2026 to run programmes covering technology exchange, investment projects, and cooperation between Korean and US shipbuilding companies.

(US$1 = KRW1,451.93)