HD Hyundai (267250.KS) will supply robot solutions to a US shipyard for the first time. As a key partner in the Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation project "MASGA" (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again), HD Hyundai is expanding its cooperation scope from shipbuilding to shipyard equipment.
According to industry sources Wednesday, HD Hyundai Robotics recently signed a supply contract with US shipbuilder Chouest Group for "Arclift Go," a robotic welding solution. Under the contract, Arclift Go will be deployed at three North American shipyards, including one in Louisiana, and one shipyard in Brazil.
This marks the first time HD Hyundai Robotics has won a robot solution order from a US shipbuilder. Arclift Go is HD Hyundai Robotics' flagship process automation solution that delivers uniform and stable welding technology. Built on HD Hyundai's accumulated shipbuilding process expertise, it can flexibly respond to various work environments and operate multiple robots simultaneously.
HD Hyundai Robotics plans to use this contract as a stepping stone for full-scale order activities in North America. While the United States is pursuing a revival of its shipbuilding industry, it faces a significant shortage of skilled workers needed for high-difficulty processes such as welding. As a result, demand for smart solutions that can boost shipyard productivity, including welding robots, is expected to expand rapidly.
The partnership between HD Hyundai and Chouest Group is also expected to strengthen. Chouest Group is one of the leading US shipbuilders, operating five shipyards in the country. Last year, HD Hyundai signed a strategic partnership with Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO), a Chouest Group affiliate, in the commercial shipping sector and has been continuing discussions on cooperation for joint local construction.
The two companies plan to expand their cooperation from container carriers to various vessel types, while also extending the scope to port cranes, which carry significant security implications.
