HANJIN HEAVY INDUSTRIES

- Signs joint R&D agreement with San Diego State University at the opening of the Korea–U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center (KUSPC) in Washington, D.C.
- Promotes the development of a physical AI-enabled friction stir welding (FSW) system, supporting the Korea–U.S. MASGA shipbuilding cooperation initiative

- Opening Ceremony of the Korea–U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center (KUSPC)
 (Front row, from left: Yoo Sang-cheol, CEO of HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC); Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR); and Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Commerce (first, fourth, and fifth from the left, respectively))

HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) has been selected as the lead organization for a Korea–U.S. joint shipbuilding research and development (R&D) project and has signed a collaborative research agreement with U.S. research institutions. The project is particularly significant as it positions Korean companies at the forefront of advanced shipbuilding technology cooperation with U.S. partners.

HJSC announced that it participated as the lead organization in the opening ceremony of the Korea–U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center (KUSPC), held in Washington, D.C. on July 23, where the multinational shipbuilder signed a joint R&D agreement with San Diego State University (SDSU), the U.S. partner institution for the project.

The project is part of the core technology development program for the shipbuilding and maritime industry, launched by Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) through a public call for proposals last month. Among the eight Korea–U.S. joint R&D projects selected by the government, HJSC will lead the AI-related initiative to develop a physical AI-enabled friction stir welding (FSW) system for the autonomous manufacturing of aluminum naval vessel panels.

FSW, recognized as a next-generation welding technology, is a solid-state welding process that joins metals using frictional heat and pressure without melting the base material. The technology enables high-strength, high-quality welds for aluminum panels, which are difficult to achieve using conventional arc welding. With its superior energy efficiency and process stability, FSW is considered a key technology for producing lighter, more fuel-efficient vessels while supporting the global transition toward low-carbon and environmentally friendly ships.

As the lead organization, HJSC will work with the Research Institute of Medium & Small Shipbuilding (RIMS) and Kyungpook National University to develop AI-based process optimization technologies for friction stir welding. SDSU and Korean company SANGNIM MSP will be responsible for designing and manufacturing the system hardware and welding tools. Samsung Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, and KANGNAM Corporation will also participate as end users to help validate the practical application of the technology.

The joint R&D initiative is also meaningful because it supports the MASGA framework for Korea–U.S. shipbuilding cooperation. The project is expected to establish a foundation for continued technological exchange with U.S. shipyards and research institutions. It is also anticipated to create synergies with the RIMS' program supporting the entry of Korean shipbuilding equipment manufacturers into the U.S. market, as well as with the Korea–U.S. naval maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) cooperation initiative.

- MOU Signing Ceremony
 (Front row, from left: Yoo Sang-cheol, CEO of HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC); Kim Jung-kwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR); and Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Commerce (first, fourth, and fifth from the left, respectively))

HJSC expects that securing proprietary high-quality solid-state welding technology through the project will create ripple effects across related industries, including aerospace, aviation, and advanced manufacturing. The global shipbuilder also expects the technology to contribute to technology transfer for small and medium-sized enterprises in the defense and shipbuilding sectors while strengthening the broader manufacturing ecosystem.

In particular, HJSC's extensive expertise in constructing specialized aluminum-alloy naval vessels—including the Republic of Korea Navy's Landing Ship Fast (LSF) and Multi-purpose Training Boat (MTB)—combined with its experience in overhaul and performance upgrade projects, has enabled the company to build strong MRO capabilities. These strengths are expected to generate significant synergies with the new AI-enabled welding technology being developed through the project.

CEO Yoo Sang-cheol stated, "This Korea–U.S. joint shipbuilding technology development project will serve as a symbolic example of how the two countries can combine their strengths to secure future technological competitiveness while leading the transition toward environmentally friendly and digital shipbuilding." He added, "Through close collaboration among shipyards, companies, and research institutions in both countries, we will accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation core technologies and create a new growth model that generates demand in the global market."