Ahead of the bidding for Canada's next-generation submarine program, the Ontario Minister of Economic Development visited Hanwha Ocean's Geoje business sites.
On the 23rd, Hanwha Ocean said that Victor Fedeli, the Minister of Economic Development who oversees economic development, job creation, and trade in Ontario and a member of the provincial parliament for Nipissing, visited the Geoje business sites the day before.
Minister Fedeli visited Hanwha Ocean's Geoje business sites, which have the world's largest advanced shipbuilding facilities, toured ship construction sites, and reviewed production automation equipment using welding robots. He also boarded the "Jang Young-sil," launched in Oct. last year, to see the "Jang Bogo-III Batch II" submarine firsthand.
Hanwha Ocean explained to Minister Fedeli the design and production processes of the submarine model proposed for Canada's next-generation submarine program. In addition, by presenting industrial cooperation plans related to Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB), a key component of Canada's submarine program, the company introduced investment and employment effects across Canada, including Ontario.
Hanwha Ocean plans to pursue various cooperation plans with Ontario. Through partnerships that can contribute to job creation in Ontario and the development of local industries, Hanwha Ocean expected to play a major role in ITB negotiations, a key component of this procurement.
Hanwha Ocean President Kim Hee-cheul said, "We are pleased to directly showcase a state-of-the-art submarine already proven by the Republic of Korea Navy," and added, "Discussions on cooperation with industries in the Ontario region demonstrate a firm commitment to building sustainable submarine construction and maintenance capabilities in Canada."
Hanwha Ocean recently signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) for shipbuilding and industrial cooperation with more than 10 Canadian local corporations. In addition, to support the Canadian government's "Buy Canadian" policy, the company is actively pursuing additional local partnerships.