- South Korean Shipbuilders Explore U.S. Cooperation with Trade Representative.
- First USTR Talks with Korean Shipbuilders Focus on Tech, Cranes, and Shipyards.
- HD Hyundai, Hanwha Ocean Push for U.S. Collaboration at APEC Meeting.
The chief executives of South Korea’s big shipbuilders, HD Hyundai and Hanwha Ocean Co., separately met U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer to discuss shipbuilding collaboration, the companies said Friday. The talks were held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers’ summit, which took place on Jeju Island from Thursday to Friday. It was the first formal dialogue between the USTR and South Korea’s shipbuilding industry, reports The Korea Bizwire.
HD Hyundai Proposes Tech and Workforce Collaboration
HD Hyundai CEO Chung Ki-sun emphasised the importance of joint development in shipbuilding technologies and workforce training. “We deeply appreciate the United States’ commitment to rebuilding its shipbuilding industry. HD Hyundai is fully prepared and willing to contribute wherever our expertise is needed,” Chung said.
Chung also emphasised the danger presented by China’s supremacy in port crane production and brought forth HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., which manufactures cranes. He advocated for more diversification in the U.S. port equipment supply chain and proposed increased U.S.–Korea collaboration in this field. Chung is also the executive vice chairman of HD Hyundai, the nation’s leading shipbuilding conglomerate.
Hanwha Ocean Eyes Smart Production and U.S. Expansion
Hanwha Ocean President Kim Hee-cheul emphasised strengthening strategic cooperation with the U.S. through leading-edge technologies and intelligent production. “Hanwha Ocean aims to go beyond technology transfer and production infrastructure development to become a strategic partner in revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding industry,” Kim said.
Kim discussed plans to implement Hanwha’s smart production system, currently in use at the Geoje shipyard, at Philly Shipyard in the U.S., which the company acquired last year. Hanwha Ocean is also considering building a new shipyard in the U.S. to enhance local production capacity.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: The Korea Bizwire
