SEOUL, South Korea, July 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A delegation from Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO), a U.S.-based shipbuilding group, has concluded a two-day visit to South Korea, aimed at advancing collaborative shipbuilding initiatives with HD Hyundai.
Led by CEO Dino Chouest, the ECO delegation comprised over ten key executives and engineers, who toured various HD Hyundai facilities from July 22nd to 23rd.
The visit was a significant step following the signing of an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in June, which outlined a strategic partnership for joint construction of medium-sized container vessels at ECO’s shipyard, set for completion by 2028.
Chung Kisun, Executive Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, highlighted the importance of this venture, stating, “This joint initiative will become a milestone in Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation.”
During their visit, the delegation first explored HD Hyundai’s Global R&D Center in Gyeonggi, where they received an in-depth briefing on advanced shipbuilding technologies. They observed operational statuses of HD Hyundai-built vessels currently serving globally.
The schedule included a tour of the Digital Insight Center to view automated vessel management systems and the innovative automation solutions and robotic welding technologies developed at HD Hyundai’s shipyards.
Both parties acknowledged that expanding joint shipbuilding efforts in the U.S. necessitates strengthening local infrastructure and improving production capabilities.
A pivotal meeting occurred between the top executives from both companies, during which Chung and Chouest discussed extending their partnership’s scope to include the development of port cranes as well, a sector characterized by increased security demands.
Chung emphasized HD Hyundai’s commitment to revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding industry, remarking, “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.”
On the second day, the ECO delegation traveled to Ulsan, visiting HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo shipyards. They closely examined local shipbuilding practices, operating procedures, and the docking and management of large container vessels.
Following their hands-on inspection, ECO engineers will remain an additional week in Korea to further immerse themselves in advanced shipbuilding techniques.
During this time, they will participate in a technical exchange workshop to discuss detailed plans for the collaborative shipbuilding initiative.
Edison Chouest Offshore operates eighteen commercial shipyards across the United States and has built a fleet of 300 Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs), showcasing its competitive edge in the sector.
The collaboration between HD Hyundai and ECO represents a proactive merging of expertise, aimed at bolstering both entities’ capabilities in the evolving maritime industry.
SOURCE HD Hyundai
image source from：prnewswire
