![Kiewit CEO Chad Johnson, left, and Choi Han-nae, an executive director at HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, sign a strategic partnership for shipbuilding cooperation in July. [Photo=HD Hyundai]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/10/23/20261023084707291399.jpg)
SEOUL, October 23 (AJP) - HD Hyundai is in talks with an American engineering company to build a shipyard in the U.S.
According to industry sources, the shipbuilder has been discussing plans with Kiewit, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, to establish a joint venture to secure a site and build a ship production facility.
Details including the location of site and its construction schedule have yet to be determined, with plans initially focused on manufacturing ship blocks and large steel structures before potentially expanding into a full-scale shipyard.
The move follows a strategic partnership the two companies signed in July to cooperate on shipbuilding including the joint construction of vessels and the production of ship blocks and modules.
The partnership would combine HD Hyundai's shipbuilding expertise with Kiewit’s experience in engineering, construction and industrial fabrication.
If discussions proceed as planned, the facility could serve as HD Hyundai's first step toward expanding its shipbuilding capabilities in the U.S. by combining its expertise with Kiewit's experience in engineering, construction and industrial fabrication.
HD Hyundai has also been exploring various ways to expand its presence in the U.S. market including acquiring existing shipyards, taking equity stakes in shipbuilding companies and building new facilities.
According to industry sources, the shipbuilder has been discussing plans with Kiewit, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, to establish a joint venture to secure a site and build a ship production facility.
Details including the location of site and its construction schedule have yet to be determined, with plans initially focused on manufacturing ship blocks and large steel structures before potentially expanding into a full-scale shipyard.
The move follows a strategic partnership the two companies signed in July to cooperate on shipbuilding including the joint construction of vessels and the production of ship blocks and modules.
The partnership would combine HD Hyundai's shipbuilding expertise with Kiewit’s experience in engineering, construction and industrial fabrication.
If discussions proceed as planned, the facility could serve as HD Hyundai's first step toward expanding its shipbuilding capabilities in the U.S. by combining its expertise with Kiewit's experience in engineering, construction and industrial fabrication.
HD Hyundai has also been exploring various ways to expand its presence in the U.S. market including acquiring existing shipyards, taking equity stakes in shipbuilding companies and building new facilities.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
