Samsung Heavy Industries will establish its first research base in the United States in San Diego, accelerating Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation.
Samsung Heavy Industries said on the 13th that it held an opening ceremony for the "Samsung Heavy Industries-SDSU Advanced Marine Center" (SSAM Center) jointly with San Diego State University (SDSU) in California.
San Diego is home to "NASSCO," the largest shipyard on the U.S. West Coast. There, Samsung Heavy Industries plans to build a technology partnership with SDSU and NASSCO and seek ways for Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation in AI-based production automation, Robotics, and eco-friendly fields.
SDSU has a cutting-edge technology portfolio in AI, intelligent wireless communications, advanced materials, and energy systems, which, it said, can generate synergy with Samsung Heavy Industries' manufacturing capabilities.
It will also work in parallel to strengthen local networks by identifying research projects with U.S. schools, the government, and related institutions and by securing top talent.
About 60 people attended the opening ceremony, including Lee Wang-geun, vice president of Samsung Heavy Industries; Hala Madanat, vice president of SDSU; and Ben Moore, chief of global affairs for the city of San Diego.
Vice President Lee said, "Securing a joint research base in the United States is the starting line for Samsung Heavy Industries to fully launch what it has prepared as the 'Marsga,' and we expect it will help expand technology cooperation in the Korea-U.S. shipbuilding and marine industries."
SDSU President Adela de la Torre said, "Going forward, we hope to conduct research on AI-based production technologies centered on Samsung Heavy Industries and the SDSU College of Engineering and to create opportunities to cultivate talent that will lead the industry."