HD Hyundai and Kiewit announced plans on Oct. 22 to form HD Kiewit Shipbuilding, a joint venture that would develop a new, purpose-built U.S. shipyard. It would sit on an existing industrial site with deep water and unrestricted access to the Gulf. The announcement doesn’t name the location.
Here’s what the companies laid out:
Construction targeted to begin in 2027
Full-scale operations targeted for 2029
Capacity to support up to 3,000 jobs at full operating scale
Shipyard Smarts, Fabrication Muscle: HD Hyundai would bring its shipbuilding technology and shipyard operating expertise. Kiewit would bring fabrication and construction capabilities at large scale, supported by the experience and facilities of its affiliate, Kiewit Offshore Services.
The companies also plan to support technical training and workforce development, and to strengthen U.S. supply chains for marine components and logistics.
Robots in the Weld Bay: The yard would be the first U.S. application of HD Hyundai’s “Future of Shipyard” model.
Planned technology includes:
Digital twins
Automated production systems
Robotic welding
The companies say these tools are intended to improve productivity, quality and safety.
More Than Whole Hulls: The JV will explore work on naval auxiliary and commercial vessels. It will also look at ship block and module fabrication for U.S. shipbuilders, so the yard could turn out ship sections as well as finished vessels.
Hannae Choi, speaking for HD Hyundai, called the proposed venture an important milestone toward becoming a strategic partner to the U.S. shipbuilding industry. She also tied it to expanding shipbuilding cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea.
With full-scale operations targeted for 2029, the Future of Shipyard is still a shipyard of the future.
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