HD Hyundai recently hosted a delegation from the U.S. Naval Academy, consisting of four midshipmen and a faculty advisor, for a tour of their Global Research and Development (R&D) Center in Seongnam and the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan.
This visit is part of an ongoing collaboration in naval architecture and marine engineering that was initiated following HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun’s trip to the U.S. Naval Academy in March of last year.
During their visit, the midshipmen explored cutting-edge technologies at the Global R&D Center, including ship digital twin systems and advanced monitoring capabilities at the Digital Convergence and Control Centers.
The group also toured the Ulsan shipyard, where they observed state-of-the-art design facilities, automated welding robots, and the construction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo tanks. Sources report that the visitors were particularly impressed by the advanced automation technologies on display.
Shin Jong-gye, a technical advisor at HD Korean Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, highlighted to the delegation that while the U.S. leads in naval ship design, there’s significant overlap in manufacturing processes between military and commercial vessels. He stressed the potential benefits of incorporating Korean commercial shipbuilding expertise in areas such as steel processing, assembly, and welding techniques.
Professor Marcus Jones of the U.S. Naval Academy expressed his appreciation for the visit, stating that they’re grateful for this invaluable opportunity. It underscores the critical importance of enhancing production capabilities across the shipbuilding sector.
An HD Hyundai spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering stronger ties with the U.S. Naval Academy, describing it as the cradle of the world’s most powerful navy, and pledged to further expand their collaborative efforts.