HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s largest shipbuilder, has partnered with Philly Shipyard to seek U.S. government shipbuilding and maintenance contracts, writes Joseph N. DiStefano for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Korean company signed an agreement with Philly Shipyard, which employs nearly 1,000 at the former Philadelphia Navy Yard site, to “explore a potential business relationship” for government work on April 12.

The deal comes after a February visit by U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro to Korean shipyards. Del Toro invited owners to invest in U.S. shipyards to build for both military and civilian clients.

HD Hyundai already announced its partnership with Palantir, a U.S. security tech company, on April 14. The two companies agreed to work on developing unmanned military surface craft for reconnaissance and combat.

HD Hyundai is also working with Lockheed Martin, which has a significant presence in the Philadelphia region, on a combat-systems modernization project.

The Philadelphia yard previously used HD Hyundai designs and know-how to provide tankers and other commercial ships built in the U.S. for use between U.S. ports, as required under the federal Jones Act.

Read more about the deal that could add several new jobs to the region at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

_____