HD Hyundai and ECO Partner to Build American Commercial Ships
On June 20, HD Hyundai signed a strategic agreement with U.S.-based shipbuilding group Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) to collaborate on building commercial vessels in the United States.
The signing ceremony took place at ECO’s headquarters in New Orleans and was attended by Hannae Choi, Vice President of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, and ECO Chairman Gary Chouest. The agreement outlines the joint development and construction of mid-sized dual-fuel containerships powered by LNG, with project delivery targeted for 2028.
HD Hyundai will play an active role by providing support in ship design, equipment procurement, and construction technologies. It will also manufacture and deliver ship blocks and invest in key technical assets. The partnership is expected to expand into other areas such as icebreakers, naval vessels, and lifting equipment.
ECO operates five shipyards across the U.S. and manages a fleet of 300 offshore support vessels (OSVs). Recently, the company launched the United Shipbuilding Alliance (USA) in partnership with Bollinger Shipyard — the largest privately owned shipbuilder in the U.S. — to further strengthen American shipbuilding capabilities.
According to Clarkson Research, only three 3,600 TEU-class containerships were ordered from U.S. shipyards between 2022 and 2024. In response to this limited activity, ECO turned to HD Hyundai — a global leader in shipbuilding — to form a strategic partnership. Both companies aim to enhance U.S. competitiveness in the global maritime industry.
HD Hyundai is already actively building shipbuilding ties with the U.S. In 2024, the company signed agreements with Huntington Ingalls Industries, America’s largest defense shipbuilder, and Fairbanks Morse Defense, a key supplier of defense equipment. Additionally, in 2023, the company signed an MoU with the University of Michigan and Seoul National University to foster shipbuilding talent through academic collaboration.
“The U.S. is our strong ally and important business partner,” said a representative of HD Hyundai. “Through our cooperation with ECO, we aim to support efforts to revitalize American shipbuilding and strengthen national security.”
