US Senator Dave McCormick tours Hanwha Ocean's Geoje shipyard, discusses shipbuilding ties
In short
US Senator Dave McCormick (Republican, Pennsylvania) visited Hanwha Ocean's Geoje shipyard on 7 October, touring its smart yard and naval ship construction site and boarding the frigate Pyeongtaek, which is under construction. Hanwha Ocean said it briefed him on expanding Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation linked to its Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, in the state he represents.
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US Senator Dave McCormick, a Republican from Pennsylvania, visited Hanwha Ocean's shipyard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, on 7 October, Hanwha Ocean said on 8 October. Asia Economy reported that the visit took place in the afternoon. McCormick toured a smart yard fitted with automated equipment and the naval ship construction site, looking at the company's shipbuilding infrastructure and production capacity. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
He boarded the Pyeongtaek, an Ulsan-class Batch-III (Chungnam-class) frigate being built at the yard. The Pyeongtaek is the fifth ship of the Ulsan-class Batch-III program, and Asia Economy, Newsis and Seoul Economic Daily described it as the newest ship of its class. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Hanwha Ocean said it briefed McCormick on its role in expanding Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation and on links with Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, and stated its intention to widen cooperation for the shared growth of both countries' shipbuilding industries. Asia Economy reported that the plan is to broaden cooperation in naval ship design and construction, workforce training and supply chains based on the US production site. McCormick said he was "deeply impressed" by Hanwha Ocean's technology and capabilities "in every respect, including technology, productivity, quality and safety," and that he expected Hanwha Ocean to contribute greatly to the development of Philadelphia's shipbuilding industry through the Philly Shipyard. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
McCormick represents Pennsylvania, where Hanwha Philly Shipyard is located. According to the reports, he visited the Philly Shipyard in April last year with US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and stressed the need to rebuild US shipbuilding, and in August of that year publicly backed Hanwha Group's plan to invest $5 billion in the shipyard. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily said Hanwha Ocean is leading the MASGA (Make America Shipbuilding Great Again) Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation project, while Newsis said the company is taking part in it. In July, at the opening of a Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation center, Hanwha Ocean set up cooperation with US partners, including naval ship design firm Leidos Gibbs & Cox according to Yonhap, covering ship design and development, workforce training and supply chains. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
The outlets reported that Hanwha Philly Shipyard now employs about 2,500 people, roughly double its workforce in 2024, when it was acquired. In July it won an order for a Missile Range Instrumentation Vessel from the US Maritime Administration. It has delivered four National Security Multi-Mission Vessels, and Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily said the fifth is due next year. Newsis reported that Hanwha Ocean also provides related technical instruction for the shipyard's apprenticeship program. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Jeong In-seop, president and head of Hanwha Ocean's management support office, said the company is working to expand production capacity centred on Pennsylvania to contribute to rebuilding US shipbuilding, and would widen cooperation with local US partners. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The visit ties a US lawmaker from Pennsylvania to Hanwha Ocean's plans to expand shipbuilding in the United States through Hanwha Philly Shipyard and the MASGA Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation project. Coverage relied on Hanwha Ocean's own announcement, and none of the outlets reported any new agreement or order from the visit.
Key facts
- Senator Dave McCormick (Republican, Pennsylvania) visited Hanwha Ocean's Geoje shipyard in South Gyeongsang Province on 7 October; the company announced the visit on 8 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- He toured a smart yard fitted with automated equipment and the naval ship construction site. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- He boarded the Pyeongtaek, an Ulsan-class Batch-III (Chungnam-class) frigate under construction and the fifth ship of the Batch-III program. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Hanwha Ocean explained plans to expand Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation in connection with Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- McCormick represents Pennsylvania, where Hanwha Philly Shipyard is located. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Hanwha Philly Shipyard's workforce is about 2,500, roughly double its size in 2024 when Hanwha acquired it. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Hanwha Philly Shipyard won an order for a Missile Range Instrumentation Vessel (MRIV) from the US Maritime Administration in July and has delivered four National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV). [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Dave McCormick visited Hanwha Ocean's Geoje shipyard on 7 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- He boarded the frigate Pyeongtaek, under construction at the yard. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Hanwha Ocean presented plans for cooperation linked to Hanwha Philly Shipyard. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- McCormick said he was impressed by Hanwha Ocean's technology and capabilities and expected it to contribute to Philadelphia's shipbuilding industry. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
- McCormick publicly backed Hanwha Group's $5 billion investment plan for the Philly Shipyard in August last year. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
- Hanwha Philly Shipyard has about 2,500 workers, roughly double its 2024 level. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Hanwha Philly Shipyard has delivered four National Security Multi-Mission Vessels and won a Missile Range Instrumentation Vessel order in July. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Hanwha Ocean leads or participates in the MASGA project. Yonhap and Seoul Economic Daily describe Hanwha Ocean as leading the project, while Newsis says it is participating.
- Whether any agreement or commitment came out of the visit. The reports describe a tour and a briefing but mention no agreements, and all are based on Hanwha Ocean's announcement.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- 8 October: Asia Economy reports Hanwha Ocean's announcement of McCormick's 7 October afternoon visit to Geoje. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap reports the visit and the Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation discussion. [ 2 ]
- Newsis reports the visit, linking it to the MASGA project. [ 4 ]
- Seoul Economic Daily reports McCormick's comments on the Philly Shipyard. [ 5 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports the visit. [ 6 ]