Admiral Caudle, U.S. Chief of Naval Operations, Visits HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean in Succession

Inspection of Aegis Destroyer and Submarine Production Lines
On-site Review of Naval Logistics Support Ship MRO Operations

Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations of the United States Navy, has consecutively visited Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, which are the two pillars of Korea’s shipbuilding industry and core partners in the MASGA (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again) project. It is reported that Admiral Caudle directly inspected the technological capabilities of Korean shipyards and emphasized his commitment to expanding cooperation.

HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Eui-sun is taking a commemorative photo with Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations of the U.S. Navy, who visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Ulsan Shipyard on Saturday the 15th. Photo by HD Hyundai

On the 16th, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced that Admiral Caudle visited its Ulsan headquarters the previous day, accompanied by Kevin Kim, Acting U.S. Ambassador to Korea, among others. Chairman Chung highlighted HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ technological strengths in the fields of commercial ships, mid-sized vessels, and naval ships, emphasizing the company’s capabilities for executing the MASGA project.

Guided by Chairman Chung, Admiral Caudle toured the commercial shipbuilding site, as well as the naval and mid-sized vessel divisions. He also boarded the recently launched state-of-the-art Aegis destroyer “Dasan Jeong Yak-yong” to receive explanations about its combat systems and operational capabilities. In addition, he observed the maintenance site for the third Aegis destroyer, scheduled to be launched next year, and the 214-class submarine “Son Won-il.”

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is working to strengthen its competitiveness across naval, commercial, and mid-sized vessels, and to expand synergies in the shipbuilding sector, following its recent merger with HD Hyundai Mipo. The company expects to enhance its competitiveness in securing orders in the global defense market and to expand supply chain cooperation with the United States. Chung Ki-sun, Chairman of HD Hyundai, stated, “We will do our utmost to contribute to the strengthening of U.S. naval power and cooperation on the MASGA project.”

Hanwha Ocean CEO Kim Heecheol (first from the left) is introducing Hanwha Ocean's technological capabilities at the shipbuilding site to Darly Caudle (second from the left), Chief of Naval Operations of the United States Navy. Provided by Hanwha Ocean

On the same day, Admiral Caudle also visited Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje facility. After touring the exhibition hall, assembly plant, and special ship quay, he inspected the U.S. Navy’s logistics support ship “Charles Drew,” which is currently undergoing MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) work by Hanwha Ocean. At the site, he stated, “Cooperation with Hanwha Ocean, which possesses world-class large-scale shipbuilding infrastructure, will further solidify the South Korea-U.S. alliance.” Hanwha Ocean CEO Kim Heecheol also emphasized, “As the most reliable partner of the U.S. Navy, Hanwha Ocean is making thorough preparations to execute the MASGA project.”

Hanwha Ocean has secured the highest number of U.S. Navy MRO records among domestic shipyards, having worked on the “Willie Shira” and “Yukon” last year, and the “Charles Drew” this year. The recently completed fourth special ship plant is characterized by its AI-based smart integrated control system and automated piping facilities, establishing an eco-friendly and carbon-neutral production system.

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