Hanwha Ocean signed one agreement and two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with U.S. partners covering naval ship design, workforce development, and supply chain cooperation at the opening ceremony of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center in Washington, D.C., U.S., further strengthening shipbuilding collaboration between Korea and the U.S.
Hanwha Ocean signed a Professional Services Agreement for the design of the Global Fast Sealift (GFS) with Leidos, advancing the partnership beyond the MOU signed in April under which the two companies agreed to collaborate on next-generation naval ship design, strengthen U.S. shipbuilding capacity, and pursue opportunities across global defense markets. Gibbs & Cox, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leidos, has designed more than 70% of U.S. Navy surface combatants since World War II.
Under the agreement, the two companies will begin the joint design of the GFS. They will also pursue collaborative technology development and establish a framework to ensure design quality throughout the design process. By combining Hanwha Ocean’s naval shipbuilding capabilities with Leidos’ ship design and engineering expertise, the companies aim to deliver a reliable and proven platform to the U.S. and global markets.
The GFS is designed to support commercial shipping during peacetime while providing rapid military sealift during wartime. As a dual-use platform, it delivers both economic and strategic value, offering a solution capable of meeting diverse requirements across the U.S. and global naval vessel markets.
Hanwha Ocean also signed an MOU for Shipbuilding Technology Training & Development Cooperation with Hanwha Philly Shipyard (HPSI) and Delaware County Community College (DCCC). The parties plan to help address workforce needs across the U.S. shipbuilding industry through workforce development efforts, including instructor training programs and other efforts to cultivate highly skilled shipbuilding professionals.
DCCC, located in eastern Pennsylvania, is an accredited, public, two-year college that provides high-quality education, workforce development, and technical training. DCCC serves as the Related Technical Instruction (RTI) provider for HPSI’s four U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship programs, delivering the technical education that complements on-the-job training and supports the development of the shipyard’s highly skilled workforce.
Hanwha Ocean also signed an MOU for Supply Chain Cooperation with HPSI, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Philadelphia Growth Partnership. Through the agreement, the parties will work together to identify local suppliers and promote collaboration across the regional industrial ecosystem, supporting the development of a stronger U.S. shipbuilding supply chain and the expansion of HPSI’s production capabilities.
“Hanwha Ocean is fully prepared to contribute to the revitalization of the U.S. shipbuilding industry and the continued advancement of Korea’s shipbuilding sector,” said Insub Jung, President and Head of Management Support Office at Hanwha Ocean. “Building on our local production footprint, we will expand cooperation in areas most critical to the U.S.”
