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HD Hyundai Joins Forces with U.S. Shipbuilder for Vessel Construction

2025.06.22

▶ An exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between HD Hyundai and Tampa Ship, part of the Edison Chouest Offshore family of affiliated companies, was executed to collaborate on commercial shipbuilding
▶ U.S.-built, LNG dual-fuel containerships to be delivered by 2028 with support from HD Hyundai in design, procurement, and shipbuilding technology
▶ Strengthening U.S. shipbuilding capacity and advancing shared industrial and national security goals

HD Hyundai announced the launch of a strategic shipbuilding collaboration in the United States centered on Tampa Ship, a major U.S. shipyard operating within the Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) family of companies, to construct containerships in the United States.

HD Hyundai announced on Sunday, June 22, that it recently held a signing ceremony with U.S.-based Tampa Ship LLC, a company within the Edison Chouest Offshore family of affiliated companies (hereinafter referred to as ECO), to establish a strategic and comprehensive collaboration that outlines a multi-faceted alliance to build medium-sized LNG dual-fuel containerships at Tampa Ship, with first deliveries targeted for 2028.

As part of the collaboration, HD Hyundai will provide critical support to Tampa Ship in vessel design, procurement of specialized equipment, and transfer of advanced shipbuilding technology. HD Hyundai will also participate in the fabrication of certain ship blocks and invest in key technical infrastructure to enhance the capability of Tampa Ship.

Tampa Ship, located in Tampa, Florida, has a long legacy in U.S. shipbuilding and is one of five shipyards operated by ECO across the country. Through this initiative, Tampa Ship is positioned to lead the revitalization of U.S. commercial shipbuilding and to help address the shortage of domestically constructed vessels.

The signing ceremony was held on Friday, June 19 and was attended by Choi Hannae, Vice President, Head of Corporate Planning Division at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, and Dino Chouest, Executive Vice President of ECO.

According to Clarksons Research, U.S. yards received orders for only three 3,600 TEU-class containerships between 2022 and 2024. This collaboration between HD Hyundai and Tampa Ship aims to address this gap and re-establish the United States as a competitive force in the global shipbuilding industry.

Through this collaboration, the parties also expressed intent to explore further opportunities beyond commercial containerships, including collaboration on other potential fleet classes as well as heavy industrial port equipment, which are all integral to maritime security and domestic infrastructure resilience.

“The United States is a strong ally and an important business partner for us,” stated an official from HD Hyundai. “Through our collaboration with ECO, we aim to actively support U.S. efforts to revitalize its shipbuilding industry and strengthen national security.”

This initiative follows HD Hyundai’s ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation with U.S. maritime and defense stakeholders. Earlier this year, the company entered into agreements with Huntington Ingalls Industries and Fairbanks Morse Defense, and continues to support academic partnerships, including with the University of Michigan and Seoul National University, to foster future talent in naval architecture and marine engineering.

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