HD Hyundai to Build 'Next-Generation Logistics Support Ship' with Huntington Ingalls in the U.S.

MOA Signed in Gyeongju Ahead of APEC 2025
Joint Participation in U.S. Navy Projects and Investment in Production Bases
Combining Korea's Advanced Technology with the U.S. Defense Network

HD Hyundai has agreed to collaborate with Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), the largest defense shipbuilder in the United States, on the construction of the U.S. Navy's "next-generation logistics support ship." Ahead of the "Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2025" summit, which will bring together economic and industry leaders from around the world in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the shipbuilding industries of Korea and the United States have joined forces.

Joo Wonho, President of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Special Ship Division, and Eric Chuning, Executive Vice President of Strategic Development at Huntington Ingalls Industries, attended the signing ceremony for the "Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Cooperation for Merchant Ship and Warship Construction" held on the 26th at Lahan Select Hotel in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Under this agreement, the two companies will jointly participate in the design and construction of the next-generation logistics support ship being pursued by the U.S. Navy, and will expand technical cooperation across both merchant ship and warship sectors. The agreement also includes plans to move beyond simple technology exchanges to jointly invest in acquiring or establishing new shipbuilding production facilities within the United States.

Joo Wonho, President of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Special Ship Division (third from left), and Eric Chuning, Executive Vice President of Strategic Development at Huntington Ingalls Industries (fourth from left), signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on cooperation for merchant ship and warship construction on the 26th at Lahan Select Hotel in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk. HD Hyundai

Korean-made block modules and key materials will be supplied to Newport News Shipbuilding and Ingalls Shipbuilding, both subsidiaries of Huntington Ingalls Group. The two sides are also considering establishing an "engineering joint venture" involving engineers from both countries. Cooperation in the maintenance, repair, and operation (MRO) of U.S. Navy and allied naval vessels is also under discussion.

The next-generation logistics support ship envisioned by the U.S. Navy is a key support vessel that supplies fuel and military supplies to combat ships in operational areas. With greater mobility and efficiency than existing supply ships, it is referred to as a "mobile maritime logistics base."

Joo Wonho stated, "This collaboration is where Korea's advanced shipbuilding technology meets the competitive edge of the U.S. defense market," adding, "Joint participation in U.S. Navy projects and securing production bases in the United States will open the door to substantial cooperation." Eric Chuning also commented, "This is a pivotal moment as shipbuilding cooperation between allied nations enters full swing," and expressed hope that, together with both governments and customers, they will innovate the productivity of the U.S. shipbuilding industry.

Huntington Ingalls Industries is also scheduled to present on the direction of Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation at the "Future Tech Forum," hosted by HD Hyundai during the "APEC CEO Summit 2025," which will be held the following day, on the 27th.

In April, HD Hyundai signed a defense cooperation MOU with Huntington Ingalls Industries, and earlier this month, further specified technology and process cooperation through a visit to Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi. Last month, HD Hyundai also began regular maintenance work on the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet supply ship, the USNS Alan Shepard, further expanding the scope of their collaboration.