HD Hyundai joins hands with India's largest shipyard

Cochin Shipyard in Kerala, India / Courtesy of HD Hyundai

HD Hyundai announced Sunday that HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the intermediate holding company overseeing the group’s shipbuilding operations, has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Cochin Shipyard, India’s largest state-owned shipbuilder, to pursue long-term cooperation.

Located in Kerala in southern India, Cochin Shipyard boasts extensive capabilities in the design, construction and repair of vessels ranging from commercial ships to aircraft carriers. Over the past five years, it has delivered 70 vessels, including 60 small commercial ships and 10 naval vessels.

According to HD Hyundai, the agreement with Cochin Shipyard aims to foster strategic cooperation in several areas, including design and procurement support, technical collaboration to boost productivity and ensure global quality standards, and workforce development through enhanced training systems.

The two companies have also agreed to jointly seek new shipbuilding orders in both Indian and international markets.

Their partnership aligns with India’s maritime development strategies, such as the Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

In support of these initiatives, India this year established a Maritime Development Fund worth approximately 250 billion Indian rupees ($2.9 billion) and is expanding policy support to strengthen its domestic shipbuilding sector and maritime infrastructure.

Through this partnership, HD Hyundai seeks to strengthen its presence in the world’s most populous country and further enhance its global competitiveness in shipbuilding.

“This collaboration will serve as a springboard for both HD Hyundai and Cochin Shipyard to reach new heights, while also marking a turning point in accelerating India’s national maritime vision,” an HD Hyundai official said.

“By leveraging HD Hyundai’s accumulated technological expertise and experience, we will support Cochin Shipyard in enhancing its global competitiveness, while also seeking opportunities for shared growth with Korean equipment suppliers.”