HD Hyundai said it will partner with Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO), a Louisiana-based shipbuilding and maritime logistics company, to build mid-sized container vessels in the United States by 2028—supporting Washington’s push to revitalize its domestic shipbuilding sector.
The two firms signed a strategic partnership agreement aimed at “comprehensively advancing U.S. commercial ship construction,” HD Hyundai said in a statement on June 22.
ECO operates five shipyards across the U.S. and is among the few American companies still maintaining substantial shipbuilding capacity. The company also owns and operates a fleet of 300 offshore support vessels used in subsea installation, oil drilling, and platform servicing.
While ECO has considerable experience in building offshore and specialty vessels, it lacks capabilities in constructing container ships—a cornerstone of global commercial shipping. According to maritime data provider Clarkson Research, U.S. shipyards received just three orders for small- to mid-sized container vessels, each around 3,600 TEU, between 2022 and 2024. All were placed by U.S.-based shipowners.
The new agreement was initiated at ECO’s request, company officials said. Under the partnership, the companies plan to jointly build LNG dual-fuel, medium-sized container vessels at ECO’s domestic shipyards over the next four years. HD Hyundai will be responsible for vessel design, LNG technology integration, equipment procurement, and technical support throughout the construction process.
“This partnership allows us to actively support the U.S. government’s efforts to rebuild its shipbuilding industry and enhance national security,” an HD Hyundai spokesperson said.
Source: The Chosun