SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - A recent column published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies suggest that South Korean companies Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries should play a central role in revitalizing the United States' declining shipbuilding industry.
The column, authored by Park Jin-ho, a policy advisor to South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, urges the U.S. to pursue formal partnerships with its longtime ally, citing the collapse of domestic shipbuilding capacity and the urgent need to bolster naval strength in the face of China's maritime expansion.
“One of the urgent tasks the U.S. administration needs to address is the collapse of the U.S. shipbuilding industry, but this cannot be reversed by the United States alone,” Park wrote. “The most effective alternative is to cooperate with allied countries like South Korea in the shipbuilding sector.”
Park pointed to China’s growing naval capabilities as a driving concern, noting that Beijing is projected to field 435 warships by 2030 — far outpacing the U.S. Navy’s current fleet of 290 ships. Meanwhile, America’s industrial base has dwindled, with fewer than 20 operational shipyards today compared to more than 300 in the early 1980s.
Without structural reform to maritime policy, including laws such as the Jones Act, Park warned, “The once world-leading U.S. shipbuilding capability cannot be restored.”
In contrast, South Korea has launched approximately 3,000 commercial and naval vessels over the past decade. Park cited this track record in recommending Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries as ideal strategic partners.
Hanwha Ocean, he noted, is already operating in the United States through its acquisition of the Philadelphia Shipyard, where it provides maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) services for the U.S. Navy.
Meanwhile, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has announced plans to invest up to $200 million to develop small modular reactor (SMR)-powered ships in collaboration with U.S.-based TerraPower by 2030.
The two companies are also working together on Korea’s first fully electric propulsion destroyer, incorporating domestic technologies including a Korean-built Aegis combat system — developments Park suggested could offer the U.S. faster and more efficient results than its own shipbuilders.
“Cooperating with South Korea, which has been a reliable ally for 70 years, is the best solution to urgently revive the collapsing U.S. shipbuilding industry and maintain U.S. maritime leadership,” Park concluded. He added that Korean investment could also help ease supply chain disruptions and other systemic issues in the U.S. industrial base.
reporter
Candice Kim
candicekim1121@ajupress.com
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