Samsung Heavy Industries to Open Research Center in U.S. in Joint Establishment with San Diego State University

Technology Cooperation and Talent Development in Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding and Maritime Industries

Samsung Heavy Industries has established its first research hub in the United States in San Diego.

On March 13, Samsung Heavy Industries announced the opening of the “SSAM Center (SHI-SDSU Advanced Maritime Center)” in partnership with San Diego State University (SDSU).

Kim Hyunjo, Vice President and Head of Research at Samsung Heavy Industries, Ben Moore, Chief Global Collaboration Officer of the City of San Diego, Hala Madanat, Vice President for Research Innovation at San Diego State University, Lee Wangkyn, Chief Operating Officer at Samsung Heavy Industries, and Jon Aasted, Master of Public Administration in Human Resources for the City of San Diego (from left), are taking a commemorative photo for the opening of the research center.

More than 60 participants attended the opening ceremony, including Lee Wangkkeun, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Samsung Heavy Industries; Hala Madanat, Vice President for Research and Innovation at SDSU; Ben Moore, Chief Global Partnerships Officer at the City of San Diego; and Mark Cafferty, Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation.

San Diego is home to General Dynamics NASSCO, the largest shipyard on the U.S. West Coast, making it an ideal location for Korea-U.S. shipbuilding industry-academic research and talent development. Additionally, SDSU's College of Engineering boasts a cutting-edge technology portfolio in areas such as AI and autonomous intelligent systems, intelligent wireless communications and embedded systems, advanced manufacturing and materials, and eco-friendly and energy systems. Samsung Heavy Industries anticipates strong synergy between its manufacturing capabilities and advanced shipbuilding technology and SDSU's expertise.

Samsung Heavy Industries plans to use the SSAM Center as a hub to build technical cooperation with SDSU and NASSCO, and to seek practical collaborative measures and a foundation for the revitalization of the U.S. shipbuilding industry in fields such as AI-based production automation, robotics, and eco-friendly technologies. The SSAM Center will also engage in activities to strengthen local networks, such as identifying research projects with U.S. schools, government, and related organizations, and securing outstanding talent.

Lee Wangkkeun, COO (Vice President) of Samsung Heavy Industries, stated, "Securing a joint research hub in the U.S. marks the official starting point for the MASGA (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again) initiative that Samsung Heavy Industries has been preparing for," adding, "We expect this to contribute to expanding technology cooperation between the shipbuilding and maritime industries of Korea and the United States."

Adela de la Torre, President of SDSU, said, "Going forward, I hope that Samsung Heavy Industries and SDSU’s College of Engineering will collaborate to research sustainable technologies such as AI-based production technology and create opportunities to foster talent who will lead the industry."

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