HD Hyundai and Kiewit Announce Joint Venture for U.S. Shipyard
News related to:HD Hyundai · 2 min read
HD Hyundai and Kiewit Maritime Co., an affiliate of Kiewit Offshore Services, Ltd., have announced plans to establish a joint venture, HD Kiewit Shipbuilding LLC, aimed at developing a purpose-built shipyard in the United States. The venture will leverage HD Hyundai’s advanced shipbuilding technology and Kiewit’s large-scale engineering and construction expertise to create a new model for U.S. shipbuilding and potentially generate thousands of jobs.
The proposed HD Kiewit Shipbuilding venture envisions the construction of a new shipyard on an existing industrial site. The project is set to commence in 2027, with full-scale operations targeted for 2029. This marks the first U.S. application of HD Hyundai’s “Future of Shipyard” model, which integrates digital manufacturing technology and advanced production systems.
According to Hannae Choi, Executive Vice President and Head of the Corporate Planning Division of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the joint venture is a significant step toward strengthening the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
The joint venture will initially focus on naval auxiliary vessels and commercial vessels. The facility is expected to support up to 3,000 jobs and will contribute to technical training and workforce development. The companies also plan to expand their cooperation into maritime infrastructure projects.
The new shipyard will incorporate HD Hyundai’s “Future of Shipyard” model, which includes advanced solutions such as digital twins, automated production systems, and robotic welding. These technologies are intended to improve productivity, quality, and safety throughout the shipbuilding process.
HD Hyundai is a global leader in shipbuilding and marine solutions, with a focus on smart, efficient, and eco-friendly technologies. Kiewit Maritime Co. draws on Kiewit’s experience in large-scale fabrication, engineering, construction, and complex project execution to support U.S. shipbuilding and manufacturing initiatives.
At full operating scale, the shipyard could support up to 3,000 jobs. The companies also intend to support technical training and workforce development, while working together and strengthening U.S. supply chains for marine components and logistics. The facility will add new industrial capacity and new employment opportunities to the U.S. economy, while helping develop the skilled workforce that will be essential to the future of American shipbuilding.
The companies envision developing a new, purpose-built shipyard on an existing industrial site. This approach would create modern vessel production facilities while making use of an existing industrial location with deep water and unrestricted access to the Gulf. Construction is targeted to begin in 2027, with full-scale operations targeted for 2029.
Applying Advanced Shipbuilding Technology Current plans envision incorporating HD Hyundai’s “Future of Shipyard” (FOS) model and digital manufacturing technology at the proposed facility. Advanced solutions, including digital twins, automated production systems and robotic welding, are intended to improve productivity, quality and safety throughout the shipbuilding process.
Pursuing U.S. Navy and Commercial Vessel Opportunities The JV will explore opportunities involving naval auxiliary and commercial vessels, as well as ship block and module fabrication for U.S. shipbuilders. The companies also intend to expand their cooperation into maritime infrastructures.