Hanwha Corporation Construction Division, Korea Airports Corporation, and POSCO Sign Joint Research Agreement on UAM Vertiport

Hanwha Corporation Construction Division, Korea Airports Corporation, and POSCO announced on the 24th that they signed a joint research business agreement on the 23rd for the ‘Strategic Technology Development for Building-type UAM Vertiport Development.’

Se-young Park, Head of Architecture Division at Hanwha Corporation Construction Division (right in the photo), Mi-ae Lee, Vice President of Korea Airports Corporation (center in the photo), Do-gil Oh, Head of Structural Marketing Office at POSCO (left in the photo)

Based on this agreement, the three companies, including Hanwha Corporation, plan to jointly research technologies related to the construction infrastructure necessary for the commercialization of UAM (Urban Air Mobility). In particular, they agreed to proactively co-develop technology for UAM vertiports (takeoff and landing sites) and consider applying it to urban complex development projects where UAM operations are expected in the future, such as Jamsil MICE and Suseo Station complex development.

They also agreed to cooperate on research related to routes and infrastructure necessary for urban UAM operations, as well as establishing standardized design plans for eco-friendly steel modular vertiports.

The signing ceremony was attended by Park Se-young, Head of the Architecture Business Division at Hanwha Corporation Construction Division; Lee Mi-ae, Vice President of Korea Airports Corporation; Oh Do-gil, Head of Steel Marketing Office at POSCO; and other officials from each company. Presentations on mutual cooperation areas and directions among the three companies and the signing of the agreement were conducted.

UAM is a future transportation mode that uses aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing without a runway, utilizing low-altitude air routes. It is currently in the demonstration phase for commercialization. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the domestic UAM market size is expected to reach 13 trillion KRW by 2040, starting commercialization in 2025, and the construction of vertiports in major hub areas is also expected to become active.

Through joint research, it is anticipated that the combination of Hanwha Corporation Construction Division’s design and construction capabilities, Korea Airports Corporation’s aviation expertise, and POSCO’s steel and steel structure utilization technology will create high synergy. In particular, Hanwha Corporation Construction Division, which is promoting large-scale complex development projects such as Jamsil MICE, expects to strengthen business competitiveness by proactively reviewing the design and construction methods of UAM vertiports to be built on project sites and securing technological capabilities.

Park Se-young, Head of the Architecture Business Division at Hanwha Corporation Construction Division, said, “Since the complex development projects led by Hanwha Corporation are located at major hubs in Seoul, they are attracting attention as optimal locations for vertiport installation. We expect to play an important role in the initial infrastructure construction of UAM,” adding, “This agreement will be an important opportunity to secure vertiport design and construction technologies applicable to both new and existing buildings.”

Lee Mi-ae, Vice President of Korea Airports Corporation, stated, “Vertiports, which need to be constructed throughout urban areas, are very important but challenging for UAM commercialization,” and added, “Through ultra-convergent cooperation with POSCO, representing Korea, and Hanwha Corporation Construction Division, we will do our best to lead the global UAM vertiport market.”

Oh Do-gil, Head of Steel Marketing Office at POSCO, said, “POSCO is leading the development of many steel-based technologies necessary for future construction technologies,” and evaluated, “Through the joint research agreement with Korea Airports Corporation and Hanwha Corporation Construction Division, we have created an opportunity to contribute to the development of the future UAM industry, and we look forward to more cooperation going forward.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.