NEWS

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and its partner companies have agreed to step up cooperation to strengthen the future competitiveness of Korea’s shipbuilding industry (“K-shipbuilding”).

On May 3, HHI held a “Technical Exchange Meeting with External Partner Companies” at its Human Resources Development Center in Ulsan.

The event was attended by about 50 representatives from HHI, including Cho Min-su, Head of the Shipbuilding Business, and Jeon Seung-ho, Head of the Safety & Production Division, along with around 110 technical, production, and quality personnel from 46 external partner companies that supply ship blocks, steel outfitting and piping, and equipment.

The meeting was organized in response to growing needs for closer interaction and collaboration between shipbuilders and their partners at a time when the shipbuilding industry is being highlighted as a key sector in Korea–U.S. trade relations, competition with China is intensifying, and the market is rapidly shifting toward eco-friendly vessels. The goal is to secure industrial leadership amid these changes.

HHI shared an overview of current market conditions in the shipbuilding industry and introduced the latest technology trends related to eco-friendly ships and production processes. Participants then split into three working groups—curved blocks and accommodation, hull outfitting and piping, and equipment—to hold in-depth discussions on ways to strengthen competitiveness across the shipbuilding value chain, including establishing and maintaining a stable supply chain, applying new technologies, and improving quality.

Each year at the beginning of the year, HHI holds a New Year’s meeting with partner company CEOs to share industry outlooks and business plans and discuss collaboration. Through this technical exchange meeting, the company expects to broaden the scope of cooperation into more practical areas such as technology and production, thereby solidifying its partnerships even further. HHI plans to make the technical exchange a regular event held twice a year, starting with this integrated session for all partners in the first half, and expanding in the second half by splitting it into two regional sessions for Yeongnam area and Honam area.

Cho Min-su, Head of the Shipbuilding Business at HHI, said, “In this period of rapid technological transition, cooperation in the technical field between shipbuilders and partner companies has become more important than ever for Korea’s shipbuilding industry to secure competitiveness,” adding, “Through this exchange meeting, we will enhance communication and build an ecosystem where we can grow together with our partner companies.”