Korea-US MASGA shipbuilding partnership expands

South Korea and the United States are deepening their shipbuilding cooperation under the 'Make American Shipbuilding Great Again' (MASGA) initiative, a $150 billion investment program aimed at revitalizing the U.S. shipbuilding industry. On July 23, 2026, the two countries opened the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center (KUSPC) in Washington, D.C., following a May MOU. At the opening, they signed 15 MOUs covering Team Korea cooperation, supply chain strengthening, workforce training, and joint technology development. Team Korea includes the KUSPC, three Korean shipbuilders (HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, Samsung Heavy Industries), KOSHIPA, and KRISO. Separately, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering signed a definitive agreement with Siemens — Siemens Digital Industries Software to develop an AI-powered next-generation marine platform, integrating the entire shipbuilding process into a 3D data environment. The company also signed an MOU with Fraser Industries to modernize U.S. shipyards, with Superior Shipbuilding Company on Lake Superior as a demonstration model. These agreements align with the U.S. government's Maritime Prosperity Zones initiative and the Great Lakes Shipyard Alliance. South Korea's industry minister Kim Jung-kwan visited Washington to attend the opening and discuss trade and investment, ahead of a potential Section 301 tariff decision. The partnership is expected to boost U.S. shipbuilding capacity and provide significant opportunities for Korean shipbuilders.