HD Hyundai and Kiewit Plan New Gulf Coast Shipyard Through HD Kiewit Shipbuilding Joint Venture

HD Hyundai USA and Kiewit Maritime Co., an affiliate of Kiewit Offshore Services, announced on October 22, 2026 plans to form HD Kiewit Shipbuilding LLC, a joint venture to develop a new, purpose-built U.S. shipyard.

A new shipyard with Gulf access

The companies plan to build the shipyard on an existing industrial site with deep water and unrestricted access to the Gulf. Construction is targeted to begin in 2027, with full-scale operations targeted for 2029. It will be the first U.S. application of HD Hyundai’s “Future of Shipyard” model.

Up to 3,000 jobs

At full operating scale, the shipyard could support up to 3,000 jobs. Initial focus areas include naval auxiliary vessels and commercial vessels, and the partners intend to support technical training and workforce development.

Hannae Choi, Executive Vice President of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering said:

“Our proposed joint venture HD Kiewit Shipbuilding marks an important milestone in HD Hyundai’s journey to become a strategic partner to the U.S. shipbuilding industry.”

Chad Johnson, President of Kiewit Maritime Co. said:

“Together with HD Hyundai’s world-class shipbuilding expertise, we see an opportunity to build a modern shipyard that expands U.S. shipbuilding capacity, develops a skilled workforce and strengthens the domestic supply chain.”