HD Hyundai to build new smart shipyard in US with Kiewit

HD Hyundai has signed an agreement to establish a joint venture, HD Kiewit Shipbuilding, with Kiewit, a major American construction and engineering firm. Unlike previous South Korean entries into the U.S. market that involved acquiring existing facilities, this project focuses on constructing an entirely new, advanced smart shipyard.

The facility is planned to be built on an industrial site with deepwater access to the Gulf of Mexico. Construction is targeted to begin in 2027, with full operations expected by 2029. The shipyard will implement HD Hyundai’s ‘Future of Shipyard’ (FOS) model, utilizing digital twin technology, automated production systems, and robotic welding to enhance productivity and address local skilled labor shortages.

The joint venture aims to pursue business opportunities in U.S. Navy logistics support vessels and commercial ships, while also producing and supplying ship blocks and modules. The project is expected to create approximately 3,000 local jobs and supports broader efforts to rebuild U.S. shipbuilding capacity.