- HD Hyundai hosted the first Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Expert Forum to enhance bilateral maritime collaboration.
- Around 40 shipbuilding and ocean engineering experts from top U.S. and Korean institutions participated.
- Discussions focused on talent development, joint education programs, and innovative yard technologies. A follow-up forum is scheduled in the United States in October.
HD Hyundai is strengthening collaborative ties in the shipbuilding sector by engaging with maritime experts from both South Korea and the United States. On June 24, the company hosted the ‘Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Expert Forum’ at its Global R&D Center in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province. The event follows the memorandum of understanding signed last July between HD Hyundai, Seoul National University, and the University of Michigan, aimed at advancing educational cooperation and nurturing future talent in the shipbuilding field.
Academic Exchange and Smart Shipyard Insights
The forum, co-hosted by HD Hyundai, Seoul National University, and South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, marked a pivotal step in enhancing Korea-U.S. cooperation in the shipbuilding sector. It was the first such gathering of experts from both nations since the inauguration of the new South Korean government, aiming to establish actionable collaboration strategies in the maritime industry.
Key participants included Andrew Gately, minister-counselor for commercial affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Korea, and Lee Seung-ryeol, director general of industrial policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun and professors from seven leading South Korean universities, such as Seoul National University and KAIST, joined the event. They were joined by naval architecture and ocean engineering professors from six prominent U.S. institutions, including the University of Michigan and MIT. In total, around 40 experts in shipbuilding and maritime technology took part in the discussions.
Forum Highlights Shared Vision for Maritime Alliance
During the forum’s opening session, HD Hyundai Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun underscored the broader vision of the initiative, describing the cooperation as the foundation for a genuine maritime alliance where Korea and the U.S. share not just talent, but also technology and long-term goals in the shipbuilding and marine sectors. He called for unified progress to drive mutual growth and prosperity in both nations’ shipbuilding industries.
Professor David Singer of the University of Michigan, who was the keynote speaker representing the U.S. delegation, praised the scale and speed of South Korea’s shipbuilding capabilities. He highlighted the importance of securing skilled talent to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding sector and viewed enhanced cooperation with HD Hyundai as a valuable step forward.
The afternoon session focused on sharing academic practices. Universities and institutions presented their shipbuilding and ocean engineering curricula and exchanged insights on education models. Discussions also centered on the importance of bilateral educational efforts to support the development of next-generation maritime professionals.
On June 23, ahead of the forum, U.S. participants visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ headquarters in Ulsan. They toured key shipyards and were briefed on innovative shipyard developments and autonomous ship technologies. The forum’s final day, June 25, features discussions on potential joint research topics such as innovative yard development. The next Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Expert Forum is planned for October in the United States.
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Source: BusinessKorea
