The companies unveiled the partnership at the launch of the Korea–US Shipbuilding Partnership Center (KUSPC) in Washington, D.C., a new organization designed to deepen shipbuilding cooperation between the two allied nations and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Republic of Korea Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Resources (MOTIR).
The partnership also brings together the companies’ complementary strengths to deliver technologically advanced autonomous vessels for both government and commercial customers. The partnership will explore advanced development of autonomy and AI-powered digital solutions, and will encompass collaboration on production infrastructure, including robotics-based process automation across Saronic’s shipyards. Saronic, a global leader in autonomous surface vessel production, contributes its operationally proven expertise in autonomous systems and scalable manufacturing, while SHI, a leading global shipbuilder, brings decades of experience in cutting edge, high-volume shipbuilding and vessel design. Together, the companies will explore opportunities to accelerate the development and production of next-generation maritime platforms.
“Rebuilding America’s maritime strength requires both world-class technology and the industrial muscle to produce it at scale here at home,” said Dino Mavrookas, Co-Founder and CEO of Saronic. “We are proud to partner with SHI, bringing together Saronic’s maritime autonomy and next-generation manufacturing with Samsung’s storied shipbuilding and technology pedigree. Together, we will focus on accelerating the reindustrialization of American shipbuilding, training the workforce of the future, and delivering differentiated, autonomy-capable vessels for both government and commercial applications.”
“We are pleased to establish this partnership with Saronic,” said Sung An Choi, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries. “By combining Saronic’s expertise in maritime autonomy with our expertise in shipbuilding, including production automation, we look forward to working together to create a more competitive future.”
The partnership builds on Saronic’s rapidly growing US shipbuilding ecosystem. The company recently announced that Port Alpha, its multi-billion dollar, next-generation shipyard, will be built in Brownsville, Texas, creating thousands of new jobs in the region. Further, it is investing an additional $300 million to expand capacity at its shipyard in Franklin, Louisiana. The partnership aligns closely with and directly supports the Administration’s broader effort to rebuild the American maritime workforce, advance technological innovation, and stimulate the industrial base that underpins US shipbuilding.
