HD Hyundai and US construction group Kiewit signed the agreement in Houston on Thursday to form a joint venture, HD Kiewit Shipbuilding, expanding a strategic partnership announced in July, Splash247 reported. The yard, at a US industrial site still to be announced, will use HD Hyundai’s automated production model and target US Navy auxiliary vessels and commercial contracts, while also exploring ship blocks and modules for other American yards. The project sits inside South Korea’s $150 billion commitment to the US shipbuilding sector, part of the $350 billion of US investment funds Seoul agreed to in return for US tariff cuts last year, Reuters reported.
HD Hyundai and Kiewit to build new US shipyard
HD Hyundai has signed a deal with Kiewit to build a new US shipyard through a joint venture, with construction starting in 2027, operations targeted for 2029 and about 3,000 jobs expected once the yard is fully running.
Why it matters: The greenfield yard is one of the largest concrete commitments yet under South Korea's $150 billion US shipbuilding investment pledge, and it targets US Navy support vessels as well as commercial work Washington wants rebuilt at home.
Data as of Reuters report of October 23, 2026, read in full via gCaptain, and Splash247 report of October 23, 2026, read in full; the site of the yard has not been announced and no investment figure has been disclosed. Developing item.
Sources
- HD Hyundai to Build US Shipyard with Kiewit, Create 3,000 Jobs - Reuters, via gCaptain - 2026-10-23
- HD Hyundai and Kiewit to build new US shipyard - Splash247 - 2026-10-23