Samsung Heavy Industries has taken part in the design program for the U.S. next-generation logistics support ship, marking its first achievement in expanding shipbuilding business with the United States. By putting its name on a logistics support ship project considered a core strategic asset of the U.S. Navy, it is kicking off the push for the Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation initiative, MASGA.
On the 1st, Samsung Heavy Industries said it will support the concept design of the next-generation logistics support ship project with General Dynamics NASSCO (NASSCO) and DSEC through March 2027.
This logistics support ship is a key asset that enhances the execution of the U.S. Navy's core strategy of "distributed maritime operations." It is a small vessel with mobility and target-tailored operational capabilities, and it is a strategic program expected to build more than 13 ships.
In this project, Samsung Heavy Industries is expected to play a key role in high-efficiency hull-form design, which underpins ship performance. Based on the world's largest commercial towing tank—400 meters long—at its Daejeon Daedeok Research Center, Samsung Heavy Industries plans to leverage its accumulated hull-form design technology and know-how to develop a hull form that meets the U.S. Navy's requirements for mobility, refueling capability, and stability. In addition, it plans to provide technical support so that NASSCO's shipyard can efficiently build the vessels in the United States.
Samsung Heavy Industries is also accelerating the expansion of its U.S. business on the back of this next-generation logistics support ship program. After establishing a U.S. subsidiary, it is preparing to bid jointly with Vigour Shipyard in the United States for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of vessels. Looking ahead, it aims to broaden business opportunities across the United States based on shipbuilding technology and 3X technologies (digital transformation, AI transformation, and Robotics). As part of this, Samsung Heavy Industries will apply the industry's first pipe spool automation technology, which went into operation in March, to its U.S. business.
Samsung Heavy Industries is strengthening technology cooperation with NASSCO by leveraging a research center it jointly established with San Diego State University (SDSU). Through this, it is seeking practical cooperation measures to rebuild the U.S. shipbuilding industry in AI-based production automation, Robotics, and eco-friendly fields.
Samsung Heavy Industries plans to expand cooperation to building a shipbuilding equipment cluster in the United States and establishing a training center to cultivate skilled shipbuilding workers and seafarers, leveraging its shipbuilding technology and soft competitiveness.
At the same time, Samsung Heavy Industries is independently pursuing acquisition of Maintenance and Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) certification.
A Samsung Heavy Industries official said, "Starting with the next-generation logistics support ship program, we will further expand cooperation with NASSCO's shipyard," adding, "Samsung Heavy Industries will move faster to deliver tangible results in U.S. business based on its advanced technological capabilities."