HD Hyundai and Kiewit Plan to Develop New Gulf Coast Shipyard
South Korea’s largest shipbuilder, HD Hyundai, is continuing its efforts to expand in the U.S. market, announcing a new joint venture with Texas-based Kiewit Maritime, an affiliate of Kiewit Offshore Services. The companies announced plans to establish HD Kiewit Shipbuilding and envision developing a new, purpose-built shipyard on an existing industrial site along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
No details were announced on the yard, but they said the approach would create modern vessel production facilities while making use of an existing industrial location with deep water and unrestricted access to the Gulf. They reported that construction is targeted to begin in 2027, with full-scale operations targeted for 2029. When fully operational, they said the yard could support up to 3,000 jobs.
The proposed venture they announced would combine HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding technology and shipyard operating expertise with Kiewit’s large-scale fabrication and construction capabilities, supported by the experience and the facilities of its affiliate, Kiewit Offshore Services. The joint venture will explore opportunities involving naval auxiliary and commercial vessels, as well as ship block and module fabrication for U.S. shipbuilders. The companies also intend to expand their cooperation into maritime infrastructures.
“Our proposed joint venture HD Kiewit Shipbuilding marks an important milestone in HD Hyundai’s journey to become a strategic partner to the U.S. shipbuilding industry,” said Hannae Choi, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Planning Division of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering. “Building on HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding technology and shipyard operating capabilities, we will contribute to strengthening the U.S. shipbuilding industry and expanding shipbuilding cooperation between the United States and South Korea.”
As part of the plan, they envision incorporating HD Hyundai’s “Future of Shipyard” (FOS) model and digital manufacturing technology at the proposed facility. Advanced solutions—including digital twins, automated production systems and robotic welding—are intended to improve productivity, quality and safety throughout the shipbuilding process.
South Korea, as part of its trade talks with the Trump administration, had committed to invest $150 billion in a program they dubbed Make American Shipbuilding Great Again. It would be part of a wider $350 billion investment in the United States promised in exchange for lower tariffs.
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It is the latest in a series of steps announced by HD Hyundai targeting the U.S. industry. The company had previously announced plans to work with Kiewit on projects. It also reported agreements with Fraser Industries, HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries) and Edison Chouest Offshore.
Previous reports indicated that HD Hyundai was in negotiations with at least three companies as part of its plan to develop a U.S. shipyard. It also positions the company as reports continue to say that the Trump administration looks to use the “Finland model,” pairing foreign shipbuilding expertise and capacity with developing U.S. capabilities. Two yards in Finland are working on the first polar icebreakers for the U.S. Coast Guard while the plan calls for transferring expertise and building the later vessels in the United States. Reports have said that Trump has repeatedly spoken with South Korea’s president about a need for U.S. ships and a plan to build two warships and two non-combatant support ships in South Korea.
