Hanwha Ocean hosts US Sen. Dave McCormick to advance naval repair and yard ties

Hanwha Ocean said Oct. 8 that US Senator Dave McCormick visited its Geoje shipyard to review naval production and advance bilateral defense cooperation.

The visit connected naval operations in South Korea to Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Pennsylvania. The US yard employs about 2,500 workers, doubling its payroll since its 2024 acquisition.

McCormick boarded the Pyeongtaek during the tour on Oct. 7. The 3,600-ton vessel is the fifth ship in the Ulsan-class Batch-III guided-missile frigate program.

The Republican lawmaker represents the state where Hanwha operates its American shipbuilding hub. He inspected automated fabrication lines and naval drydocks alongside Hanwha Ocean management.

Hanwha Ocean acquired Philly Shipyard with Hanwha Systems in 2024 to enter American naval procurement. The Philadelphia yard accounts for 100% of Hanwha's commercial and government vessel construction on US soil.

The Philadelphia facility has delivered four National Security Multi-Mission Vessels. The final ship in that five-vessel training series is scheduled for delivery in 2027.

Philly Shipyard booked an order in July from the US Maritime Administration. That contract covers the construction of at-sea Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels.

South Korean yards are positioning to absorb maintenance, repair and overhaul orders from the US Navy. Domestic yards in the United States face persistent backlogs that constrain fleet readiness.

Hanwha Ocean became the first South Korean shipbuilder to secure a US Navy maintenance contract in 2024. The company operates a dedicated special-ship division that has built 114 naval vessels, including 20 submarines and 11 frigates.

The group opened a bilateral shipbuilding center in Washington in July. The office coordinates warship engineering, supplier networks and technical training between both nations.

Hanwha Ocean signed an engineering agreement with naval architect Leidos Gibbs & Cox under that initiative. The design house has developed more than 70% of US Navy surface combatants built since World War II.

The joint engineering program focuses on the Global Fast Sealift vessel. The hull functions as a dual-use transport for commercial cargo during peacetime and military logistics during war.

Workforce pipelines are expanding to support Philadelphia production. Hanwha Philly Shipyard trains welding and technical personnel in partnership with Delaware County Community College.

McCormick previously supported a $5 billion investment package proposed by Hanwha Group for the Philadelphia shipyard. He inspected the Pennsylvania docks in April 2025 with US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Following the Geoje yard tour, McCormick traveled to Seoul on Oct. 8. He held meetings with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul to review bilateral defense industrial plans.

The company release does not state whether the inspection produced binding warship construction contracts or fixed dollar commitments for new naval overhaul work.

The US Maritime Administration contract for missile test instrumentation vessels remains the primary active defense order at the Philadelphia yard, with project milestones running through 2027.