HD Hyundai has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and launched a strategic shipbuilding collaboration in the US centred on Tampa Ship, a shipyard operating within the Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) family of companies, to construct containerships in the US.
The collaboration outlines a multi-faceted alliance to build medium-sized LNG dual-fuel containerships at Tampa Ship, with first deliveries targeted for 2028. Under the collaboration agreement, HD Hyundai will provide critical support to Tampa Ship in vessel design, procurement of specialised equipment, and transfer of advanced shipbuilding technology. HD Hyundai will participate in the fabrication of certain ship blocks and invest in key technical infrastructure to enhance the capability of Tampa Ship.
Tampa Ship, located in Tampa, Florida, has a long legacy in US shipbuilding and is one of five shipyards operated by ECO across the country. Through this initiative, Tampa Ship is enabled to lead the revitalisation of US commercial shipbuilding and to help address the shortage of domestically constructed vessels.
According to Clarksons Research, US yards received orders for only three 3,600 TEU-class containerships between 2022 and 2024. This collaboration between HD Hyundai and Tampa Ship aims to address this gap and re-establish the US as a competitive force in the global shipbuilding industry. Through the collaboration, the parties expressed intent to explore further opportunities beyond commercial containerships, including collaboration on other potential fleet classes as well as heavy industrial port equipment, which are all integral to maritime security and domestic infrastructure resilience.
HD Hyndai sees the US as a strong ally and an important business partner. The initiative follows HD Hyundai’s ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation with US maritime and defence stakeholders. Earlier in 2025 the company entered into agreements with Huntington Ingalls Industries and Fairbanks Morse Defense, and continues to support academic partnerships, including with the University of Michigan and Seoul National University, to foster future talent in naval architecture and marine engineering.
Image: MoU Signing between HD Hyundai and Tampa Ship (source: HD Hyundai)
