Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) announced a significant step in its strategic collaboration with General Dynamics NASSCO following a high-level visit to its advanced shipyard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province. Executives from the US firm engaged in discussions centered on crucial shipbuilding cooperation, particularly focusing on the US Navy’s ambitious next-generation logistics ship program.
This pivotal meeting brought together key leaders, including Samsung Heavy Industries Vice Chairman Choi Sung-an and General Dynamics NASSCO President David J. Carver, alongside other senior officials from both esteemed organizations.
GD NASSCO expressed keen interest in leveraging Samsung Heavy’s cutting-edge technologies for the efficient design and construction of these vital logistics ships. In response, Samsung Heavy Industries reaffirmed its commitment to providing comprehensive collaboration across the entire value chain, aiming to meet stringent US Navy requirements and significantly enhance shipbuilding efficiency. Furthermore, both parties solidified their agreement to deepen their partnership in advanced automation and other innovative shipbuilding technologies.
During their visit, the US delegation received an exclusive tour of Samsung Heavy’s state-of-the-art automated fabrication shops and its immersive VR-based training facilities, which are critical for ensuring safety protocols and optimizing painting processes in shipbuilding.
A highlight of the tour was the fabrication shop, which prominently features advanced digital twin technology. This innovation facilitates seamless remote operations and precision robotic welding, all driven by sophisticated 3D CAD data. This showcases Samsung Heavy Industries’ proactive strategy towards developing highly automated and unmanned shipyards for the future of shipbuilding.
Samsung Heavy Industries emphasized its strategic goal to expand technology exports, transitioning from traditional shipbuilding into innovative solution-based offerings through such international collaborations. Concurrently, GD NASSCO seeks to bolster the global competitiveness of the US shipbuilding industry by integrating these advanced capabilities.
“This visit marks a profoundly meaningful step in fortifying our strategic partnership,” stated Vice Chairman Choi Sung-an. He further highlighted that the synergy created by combining GD NASSCO’s robust production capabilities with Samsung Heavy’s pioneering automation expertise has the potential to drive significant innovation across the shipbuilding sectors of both nations.
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