World · East Asia & Pacific · 6 hrs ago
U.S. military officials visit HD Hyundai shipyard in South Korea
Senior U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officials visited HD Hyundai’s shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, on November 4.
They assessed the shipyard’s ability to build naval vessels, along with its facilities and logistics support.
The visit is part of South Korea and the United States’ effort to revive U.S. shipbuilding through an initiative called MASGA.
The officials also considered ways to improve maritime support and operational readiness and to strengthen the two countries’ alliance.
In October, HD Hyundai agreed with U.S. firm Kiewit to develop a new U.S. shipyard through a joint venture.
The partners plan to begin construction next year, with full-scale operations expected in 2029.
Senior U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officials visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipyard in Ulsan on Nov. 4 to assess its naval shipbuilding capabilities.
The visit took place as South Korea and the United States seek to revive U.S. shipbuilding through the MASGA initiative.
The delegation assessed shipbuilding capabilities, installation infrastructure and logistics support, according to a Pentagon photo caption.
The officials also considered ways to strengthen maritime sustainment, operational readiness and the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
HD Hyundai signed an agreement in October with U.S. company Kiewit to establish a joint venture to build a shipyard in the United States.
- Who
- Senior U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officials, including Brendan P. Rogers, Andrew M. Niebel and Valerie A. Jackson.
- What
- They visited an HD Hyundai shipyard to assess shipbuilding capabilities and discuss maritime cooperation.
- When
- Nov. 4, 2026.
- Where
- HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipyard in Ulsan, southeastern South Korea.
- Why
- The visit assessed naval shipbuilding capabilities and opportunities for cooperation amid efforts to revive U.S. shipbuilding through MASGA.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
HD Hyundai signed an agreement with Kiewit to establish a joint venture to build a new shipyard in the United States.
U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officials visited HD Hyundai’s shipyard in Ulsan.
- Visit date
- Nov. 4, 2026
- Shipyard location
- Ulsan, South Korea
- South Korean company
- HD Hyundai Heavy Industries
- U.S. delegation
- Brendan P. Rogers, Andrew M. Niebel and Valerie A. Jackson
- MASGA
- Make American Shipbuilding Great Again
- Joint venture partner
- Kiewit
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What people are saying
The visit brought together senior U.S. Navy and Marine Corps leaders to assess naval shipbuilding capabilities, installation infrastructure and logistics support across South Korea