Korea and U.S. to Establish "Shipbuilding Cooperation Center" in Washington, Launching Full-Fledged Collaboration on U.S. Shipbuilding Revitalization

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and U.S. Department of Commerce Sign MOU
Support for Joint R&D, Workforce Training, and Productivity Enhancement
6.6 Billion Won to Be Invested from 2026 to 2028

Kim Junggwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (second from the right), is posing for a commemorative photo with Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Commerce (second from the left), after signing the "Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Initiative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)" on the 8th (local time) at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington D.C. From the left, William Kimit, Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Secretary Lutnick, Minister Kim, and Park Jeongseong, Deputy Minister for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Photo by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

In line with the United States’ policy of revitalizing its shipbuilding industry, the governments of South Korea and the United States are moving forward with plans to establish the "Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation Center" in the U.S. The two countries intend to formalize a strategic partnership in the shipbuilding sector by building a collaborative framework that encompasses joint research and development (R&D), technology exchanges, and workforce training.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on May 8 (local time) that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the "Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Initiative" with the U.S. Department of Commerce at the department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. The MOU was signed by Park Jungsung, Deputy Minister for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and William Kimit, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce, in the presence of Minister Kim Jungkwan and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.

Through this MOU, the two countries have agreed to promote joint research and development, technology exchanges, and direct investment, as well as to expand cooperation in areas such as shipbuilding workforce training and exchanges, and sharing of industry information.

As a base of operations for these collaborative projects, the "Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center," to be established in Washington, D.C., will play a key role in building local networks in the U.S., sharing policy trends, and facilitating collaborative activities between companies from both countries. In addition, it will support initiatives such as boosting productivity at U.S. shipyards and operating workforce training programs.

The center’s operations will run from 2026 to 2028, with a total budget of 6.6 billion won allocated. The Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering will serve as the lead agency, with the Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association participating as a partner organization.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy explained that the MOU confirms both countries’ commitment to shipbuilding cooperation and officially acknowledges the U.S. government’s support for the establishment of the center. The ministry plans to identify and implement specific collaborative projects that meet the needs of companies in both countries using the center as a platform.

A ministry official stated, "We will proceed without delay with follow-up procedures such as establishing a local corporation, securing space, and dispatching personnel, so that the center can open as soon as possible," adding, "We will focus on generating tangible results from this collaboration."

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