HD Hyundai launches first vessel from Philippine shipyard

HD Hyundai’s Subic shipyard will build four vessels.

HD Hyundai has launched the Orion Jade, the first vessel constructed at its Subic shipyard and the first ship built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Philippines (HHIP), marking the start of the company’s full-scale shipbuilding operations in the Philippines.

The Orion Jade is the first of four vessels ordered from the Subic facility. The vessel measures 250 metres in length, 42 metres in breadth, and 21 metres in depth, highlighting the shipbuilding capabilities of HD Hyundai’s Philippine operations.

“Today's launching marks a historic milestone for HHIP,” HHIP President Im Dae Jun said.” It's the third time we have transformed our vision into reality, and today, we proudly celebrate another important step in our journey.”

Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the vessel launch shows that the Philippines’ efforts to attract strategic investments are creating jobs and strengthening industrial capabilities.

"The launch of the Orion Jade is a testament to the Marcos Jr. administration’s efforts to attract strategic investments and ensure that these commitments materialize into projects that generate quality jobs, strengthen our industrial capabilities, and create meaningful economic opportunities for Filipinos,” he said.

HD Hyundai’s investment has created nearly 4,000 jobs in Subic and nearby provinces, with employment expected to double as operations expand, according to Go.

Beyond employment generation, HD Hyundai is also working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to develop a skilled workforce for the country’s shipbuilding industry.

The partnership aims to align technical and vocational training with industry requirements and equip Filipino workers with in-demand skills.

The vessel launch follows the start of construction in September 2025, when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the steel-cutting ceremony for the four-vessel order.