Siemens and Hyundai revive US shipbuilding

The collaboration will use Siemens Xcelerator – the company’s comprehensive digital business platform – as the digital backbone for transformation, applying digital twin systems engineering and product lifecycle management technologies to improve shipyard operations and vessel production across the United States.

The announcement follows news that Siemens is also teaming up with ABS to boost the digital transformation of ship design classification.

“This agreement brings together global shipbuilding excellence and Siemens’ proven digital transformation technologies to help US shipyards build smarter, faster and be more resilient,” said Robert Jones, chief revenue officer, Siemens Digital Industries Software.

“By combining our digital backbone with HD Hyundai’s advanced engineering, we are enabling the revitalisation of American shipbuilding and supporting the creation of a sustainable, future-ready workforce.”

HD Hyundai brings deep expertise through its affiliated companies HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai Samho and HD Hyundai Mipo.

“Maximising production efficiency through digital and automation technologies is key to the reconstruction of the US shipbuilding industry,” said Sangmin Moon, executive vice president – Global Strategy Division, HD Hyundai.

“HD Hyundai’s accumulated shipbuilding technology and Siemens’ digital capabilities will contribute to creating new opportunities.”

The memorandum of understanding outlines cooperation to promote digital transformation, automation and workforce development within US shipyards. The companies will also explore investment and technology opportunities, ensure alignment with US maritime priorities and expand digital shipyard transformation to allied nations. The companies say there is potential for extension in the future.