Samsung Heavy to vie for next-generation logistics ship for US Navy

Samsung Heavy Industries Head of Business Strategy Kang Joo‑nyeon, left, poses with General Dynamics NASSCO President David Carver, center, and DSEC CEO Youn Seog-yong after signing a partnership to jointly develop next-generation logistics ships for the United States Navy, during the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans held from Wednesday to Friday (local time). Courtesy of Samsung Heavy Industries

Samsung Heavy Industries has joined a tripartite consortium to bid on a project to build next-generation logistics ships for the United States Navy, leveraging on the two nations’ joint mission to empower U.S. maritime industry and military force.

The shipbuilder said Friday it signed partnerships with San Diego-based U.S> shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO and Korean engineering firm DSEC during the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans, held from Wednesday to Friday (local time). They agreed to jointly develop and build high-speed ships that supply fuels, ammunition and food to warships in oceans.

NASSCO, a large-size subsidiary of General Dynamics, operates five shipyards in four U.S. states. The American company designs and builds container ships and other commercial vessels and also executes maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) projects.

DSEC, specializing in maritime engineering, has maintained business ties with NASSCO for the past 20 years, designing vessels and supplying equipment. The Korean firm last month signed a new strategic partnership with Samsung Heavy Industries, stoking hopes for a synergy, Samsung Heavy Industries said.

Samsung Heavy Industries, on a separate track, also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with U.S. shipbuilder Conrad Shipyard to jointly develop new liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering ships for the U.S. market, according to the U.S. firm on Thursday (local time).

Under the partnership, both firms will pursue technical, commercial and market-based initiatives that support design, construction and deployment of LNG bunkering vessels tailored for U.S. regulatory and operational requirements. The MOU hinges on Samsung Heavy Industries’ advanced LNG technologies and Conrad’s LNG shipbuilding capabilities and access to the U.S. LNG market.

“We are honored to collaborate with Samsung Heavy Industries,” said Johnny Conrad, executive chairman of Conrad Shipyard. “This MOU reflects Conrad’s focus on driving innovation in the U.S. maritime sector and positions both organizations to develop advanced LNG bunkering vessels tailored to meet market demand.”

Samsung Heavy Industries’ latest portfolio expansion adds to the firm’s growing maritime partnerships with the U.S. In August, the company signed an MOU with Vigor Marine Group for MRO missions for U.S. naval support ships.

“We have been building up our technologies for the past 50 years and will now develop the U.S. shipbuilding industry,” a Samsung Heavy Industries official said.