HD Hyundai and Kiewit to launch US shipyard with 3,000 jobs
The $2bn joint venture with Kiewit will create up to 3,000 jobs and target US Navy auxiliary vessels by 2029.
HD Hyundai and Kiewit have unveiled plans to create a cutting-edge shipyard in the United States through a new joint venture, HD Kiewit Shipbuilding LLC. The facility will specialize in constructing naval auxiliary and commercial vessels using advanced manufacturing techniques, including digital twins and robotic welding systems.
The companies intend to develop the shipyard on an existing industrial site with direct Gulf access. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with full operational capacity expected by 2029. Once completed, the facility could generate up to 3,000 jobs while strengthening domestic supply chains for marine components.
Project scope and timeline: HD Hyundai
The venture combines HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding expertise with Kiewit’s large-scale fabrication capabilities. The partnership aims to establish a competitive U.S. shipbuilding platform that incorporates digital manufacturing technologies to enhance productivity, quality, and safety throughout the production process.
Hannae Choi, Executive Vice President at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, stated that the project represents a significant step in HD Hyundai’s efforts to become a key partner in the U.S. shipbuilding sector. The initiative is expected to expand cooperation between the United States and South Korea while revitalizing American shipbuilding capacity.
Strategic objectives and industry impact
Chad Johnson, President of Kiewit Maritime Co., emphasized the complementary strengths of the partnership. He noted that Kiewit’s experience in complex fabrication, combined with HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding technology, will help develop a skilled workforce and modernize U.S. shipbuilding infrastructure.
The joint venture will also explore opportunities in ship block and module fabrication for other U.S. shipbuilders, potentially expanding into maritime infrastructure projects. The facility is designed to address long-standing challenges in the American shipbuilding industry through technological innovation and workforce development.
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