What will HD Hyundai and Kiewit each contribute to their U.S. shipyard joint venture?

HD Hyundai will provide shipbuilding technology and production expertise. Kiewit will use its engineering and construction capabilities to support development of the facility.

When will the HD Hyundai-Kiewit shipyard be built and begin operating?

The joint venture plans to begin construction next year, with full-scale operations targeted for 2029.

What business opportunities will HD Hyundai and Kiewit pursue through their U.S. shipyard venture?

The companies will explore opportunities involving U.S. Navy logistics support vessels and commercial ships. They are also considering producing and supplying ship blocks and modules to U.S. shipyards, and plan to expand cooperation into port infrastructure development.

HD Hyundai, Kiewit to form JV to build shipyard in US

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Summary

HD Hyundai and Kiewit signed an agreement in Houston on Thursday (local time) to form a joint venture to build a new shipyard in the United States. The venture plans to start construction next year and target full-scale operations in 2029. HD Hyundai will contribute shipbuilding technology and production expertise, while Kiewit will provide engineering and construction capabilities. The companies will explore work on U.S. Navy logistics support vessels, commercial ships, ship blocks and modules, and port infrastructure.

Key Facts

The joint venture is tentatively named HD-Kiewit Shipbuilding LLC.
HD Hyundai said the project involves building a new shipyard rather than upgrading an existing facility.
The companies said the project is expected to help expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity and strengthen domestic supply chains.
Kiewit Maritime Co. President Chad Johnson said the project could develop a skilled workforce as well as expand shipbuilding capacity and strengthen the domestic supply chain.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 23, 2026 11:16 am KST

Officials of South Korean shipbuilding giant HD Hyundai Co. and U.S. engineering and construction company Kiewit attend a signing ceremony for a new joint venture, HD-Kiewit Shipbuilding LLC, in Houston, the United States, Thursday. Courtesy of HD Hyundai

Korean shipbuilding giant HD Hyundai Co. said Friday it will establish a joint venture with U.S. engineering and construction company Kiewit to build a new shipyard in the United States.

HD Hyundai and Kiewit signed an agreement in Houston on Thursday (local time) to establish the joint venture, tentatively named HD-Kiewit Shipbuilding LLC.

The joint venture plans to begin construction of the shipyard next year, with full-scale operations targeted for 2029.

Under the partnership, HD Hyundai will provide shipbuilding technology and production expertise, while Kiewit will leverage its engineering and construction capabilities to support the development of the facility.

HD Hyundai said the project is significant as it involves building a new shipyard rather than upgrading an existing facility, a move expected to help expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity and strengthen domestic supply chains.

The joint venture will explore business opportunities in U.S. Navy logistics support vessels and commercial ships, while also considering the production and supply of ship blocks and modules to U.S. shipyards.

The two companies also plan to expand their cooperation into port infrastructure development.

HD Hyundai said it expects the joint venture to mark an important milestone in strengthening its position as a strategic partner to the U.S. shipbuilding industry, vowing to contribute to expanding shipbuilding cooperation between the two nations.

"Together with HD Hyundai's world-class shipbuilding expertise, we see an opportunity to build a modern shipyard that expands U.S. shipbuilding capacity, develops a skilled workforce and strengthens the domestic supply chain," Chad Johnson, Kiewit Maritime Co. president, said in a release.

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