▶ Secured basic approval for high-pressure dual-fuel propulsion LNG cargo management system and collaborated with GTT on next-generation cargo hold development ▶ The first Korean shipbuilder to establish a strategic partnership with MMMCZCS, taking the lead in shaping international policies ▶ “HD Hyundai will lead maritime decarbonization through technological innovation and global cooperation” HD Hyundai is presenting its future vision for maritime decarbonization at the world’s largest maritime and offshore exhibition. HD Hyundai announced its participation in ‘Nor-Shipping 2025’, which takes place from Tuesday, June 3 to Friday, June 6 in Oslo, Norway. The event is expected to draw more than 800 companies from 47 countries and attract over 30,000 global attendees. Top executives from HD Hyundai, including Executive Vice Chairman Chung Kisun, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries CEO Lee Sang-kyun, and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Head of Future Technology Institute Jang Kwang-pil, will attend to share the group’s future vision for the shipbuilding and marine industries. HD Hyundai will position its core theme for ‘Nor-Shipping 2025’ around establishing leadership in decarbonization technologies for the global shipbuilding and marine industries and plans to explore expanded collaboration opportunities with various organizations and institutions throughout the exhibition period. On Wednesday, June 4, HD Hyundai will receive Approval in Principle (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for the cargo handling and fuel systems of its independently developed next-generation high-pressure dual-fuel (ME-GI) LNG carrier. This system is designed to replace conventional cryogenic high-pressure compressors by compressing and re-supplying boil-off gas (BOG), thereby minimizing cargo loss and significantly enhancing operational efficiency and economic performance for shipowners. HD Hyundai will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the French engineering firm GTT to jointly develop a new trapezoidal-shaped membrane cargo tank. This next-generation tank structure is optimized for the vessel’s hull form, enabling efficient utilization of space all the way to the bow. The structure not only ensures cargo stability but also maximizes transportable volume, ultimately enhancing overall operational efficiency. HD Hyundai will also strengthen its collaboration with global classification societies to advance technology development. The company plans to jointly develop a hybrid LNG carrier equipped with a high-efficiency Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system in partnership with Lloyd’s Register (LR) of the UK. Under this collaboration, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will be responsible for developing the SOFC-based hybrid propulsion system and the basic design of the LNG carrier, while Lloyd’s Register will provide technical consulting support. HD Hyundai is also stepping up in policy advocacy for maritime decarbonization. As the first Korean shipbuilder to do so, the company will form a strategic partnership with the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS), a leading non-profit research institute driving the global shipping industry’s transition to net zero. MMMCZCS collaborates with over 90 global partners, including Maersk, to develop decarbonized fuel technologies. The center holds significant influence within the international maritime industry, playing a key role in shaping regulations set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Through this partnership, HD Hyundai plans to actively participate in the development of international policies and regulatory frameworks for key decarbonization technologies, including ▲the transition to eco-friendly fuels and ▲the reduction of carbon emissions through maximized energy efficiency. An official from HD Hyundai state, “As the world’s leading shipbuilder, HD Hyundai is accelerating the development of next-generation eco-friendly ship technologies to maintain its technological edge. We will continue to drive maritime decarbonization through relentless innovation and expanded collaboration with global partners.”  

South Korea’s largest shipbuilder is Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). The company is presently constructing a destroyer for Korea’s navy that is much like our Aegis destroyers. However, HHI is doing so at less than half the cost and in far less time than the U.S. does. This destroyer is loaded with American parts and technology. As an HHI executive told the Wall Street Journal, “This is basically a U.S. warship.” (See original article below) Making Our Navy Supreme Again

  ▶The company has invested approximately 200 billion won to modernize the facility and increase production capacity by 56% to 15,000 units.   ▶The introduction of welding robots and AI-based quality inspection systems will enhance productivity by 20% and reduce production time by 35%.   ▶This facility will serve as the global production hub for the company’s subsidiaries, functioning as a “mother plant.”   ▶HD Hyundai Chairman Kwon Oh-gap stated, “Our goal is to manufacture globally competitive products from this advanced and secure production hub.” On Tuesday, May 20, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment launched its smart factory, which will act as a global production hub at the Ulsan Campus in Dong-gu, Ulsan city, Korea. The ceremony was attended by over 400 people, including HD Hyundai Chairman Kwon Oh-gap, Senior Vice Chairman Chung Ki-sun, HD Hyundai XiteSolution CEO Cho Young-cheul, and HD Hyundai Construction Equipment CEO Choi Cheol-gon, along with local and international dealers, partners, and customers. Since 2023, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment has been executing the Advancement Project, which involves a substantial 200 billion won investment to revamp its existing Ulsan plant for facility upgrades and increased production capacity. This ambitious project merged Plant 1 and Plant 2, which are situated on a sprawling 234,710 square meter (71,000 pyeong) site, into a single, cohesive facility. Enhancements include ▲the expansion and reorganization of production lines, ▲the construction of a quality assurance center and a new receiving building, as well as ▲a new office structure, ultimately transforming the Ulsan plant into a smart factory. HD Hyundai Construction Equipment streamlined production and logistics under an integrated factory system and introduced a real-time product tracking system to optimize workflow and maximize efficiency. The introduction of welding robots and vision sensors on the body welding production line enhances both productivity and quality consistency. Additionally, the incorporation of unmanned transport vehicles (AGVs) and AI-based quality inspection systems in the assembly line will increase automation. As a result, labor productivity is expected to improve by approximately 20%, and the time required to complete each product is projected to decrease by around 35%. Additionally, the annual production capacity for medium to large excavators and wheel loaders will increase significantly, rising by 56% from 9,600 units to 15,000 units. HD Hyundai Construction Equipment is planning to develop its Ulsan Campus, which has been transformed into a smart factory, into a global production hub referred to as the "Mother Plant." The company aims to strengthen connections between this hub and its major overseas production affiliates and customization centers located in the United States and Europe. Chairman Kwon Oh-gap of HD Hyundai stated, “The new factory, transformed with a smart and safe production system, aims to become the world's leading production hub, integrating advanced technology and environmental sustainability.” He also emphasized, “As representatives of the nation, we must embrace our mission and produce products that can confidently compete on the global stage.” CEO Choi Cheol-gon of HD Hyundai Construction Equipment stated, "The Ulsan Campus has been transformed into a smart factory, significantly improving its quality competitiveness. We are dedicated to providing top-tier products that will lead the construction machinery sector, including next-generation models." On the same day, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment also held the “Smart Factory First Unit Delivery Ceremony.” They delivered five units, including the 40-ton class excavator first introduced at the 2025 Seoul Mobility Show, the 125-ton class ultra-large excavator, and the 35-ton class large wheel loader, to major dealers across Korea, the United States, Europe, China, and Indonesia. ■ Photo  2 HD Hyundai Construction Equipment held a ceremony on Tuesday, the 20th, to mark the completion of its smart factory at the Ulsan Campus. The attendees took a commemorative photo, featuring (from left to right): Cho Young-cheol, CEO of HD Hyundai XiteSolution; Chung Ki-sun, Senior Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai; Kwon Oh-gap, Chairman of HD Hyundai; and Choi Cheol-gon, CEO of HD Hyundai Construction Equipment.