- ECO Delegation Visits Korea to Advance U.S. Shipbuilding Plans.
- HD Hyundai, ECO Target U.S. Container Vessel Construction by 2028.
- Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Focuses on Automation and Growth.
HD Hyundai has officially kicked off its on-site initiatives for joint shipbuilding operations in the United States, marking a significant partnership with U.S.-based shipbuilder Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO), reports HD Hyundai.
ECO Delegation Visits Korea to Finalise Joint Construction Plans
On July 23rd, HD Hyundai shared that a high-level delegation from ECO made a trip to Korea to nail down specific plans for the joint construction of container vessels in the U.S. The delegation, headed by CEO Dino Chouest, included over 10 key executives and engineers from ECO. Their visit spanned from July 22nd to 23rd.
During their two-day stay, the ECO team toured HD Hyundai’s Global R&D Centre, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipyard, and HD Hyundai Mipo’s dockyard. The goal was to get a firsthand look at HD Hyundai’s technological capabilities and shipbuilding expertise.
Strategic MOU Signed to Build Vessels by 2028
In June, HD Hyundai and ECO signed an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining a strategic partnership to collaboratively build medium-sized container vessels at ECO’s U.S. shipyard by 2028. This MOU also opens the door for expanding cooperation into other areas, like port cranes, which come with increased security considerations.
To back this initiative, HD Hyundai sent over ten experts to ECO’s shipyard last month. Their task was to inspect the production systems, evaluate facilities, and offer advice on boosting productivity.
Focus on Automation and Infrastructure Enhancement
On July 22nd, the ECO delegation kicked off their visit at HD Hyundai’s Global R&D Centre in Gyeonggi, where they received insights into cutting-edge shipbuilding technologies. They also checked out the Digital Insight Centre to observe HD Hyundai-built vessels in real-time operation around the world.
The group explored sites focused on automation development and discussed how to integrate robotic welding technologies, emphasising a shared ambition to enhance local infrastructure and production capacity in the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
Leadership Meeting Explores Broader Partnership
A meeting between top executives of both companies was held during the visit. Chung Kisun, Executive Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, and Dino Chouest discussed expanding their partnership beyond container shipbuilding.
Chung emphasised the strategic importance of this cooperation, stating: “HD Hyundai fully supports efforts to revitalise the U.S. shipbuilding industry,” adding, “The joint shipbuilding project between the two companies in the United States will serve as an excellent example of Korea-U.S. cooperation in the shipbuilding sector.”
Shipyard Tours and Technical Workshops in Ulsan
On July 23rd, the ECO delegation had the opportunity to visit HD Hyundai’s shipyards in Ulsan, which included both HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo. They explored massive container vessels, observed dock operations, delved into design and production processes, and got a firsthand look at HD Hyundai’s automation systems in action.
The ECO engineers who participated in this trip will be staying in Korea for an extra week to take part in technical workshops. These sessions will offer hands-on training in cutting-edge shipbuilding techniques and foster collaborative discussions aimed at fine-tuning plans for their joint construction project.
Edison Chouest Offshore: A Key U.S. Shipbuilding Player
ECO runs eighteen commercial shipyards throughout the U.S. and boasts a fleet of 300 Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs). With its vast experience in the OSV sector, ECO stands out as a top-tier player and a valuable partner for HD Hyundai as they work together to expand shipbuilding operations in the United States.
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Source: HD Hyundai
