Siemens, HD Hyundai to Boost Digital Progress for Shipbuilding

Siemens Digital Industries Software has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with HD Hyundai to drive the modernization of the commercial shipbuilding industry in the United States.

This collaboration positions Siemens Xcelerator as the digital backbone for the revitalization of the U.S. shipbuilding industry in the United States, leveraging its digital twin, model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and product lifecycle management (PLM) technologies to transform shipyard operations and vessel production across the U.S.

HD Hyundai, which includes HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai Samho and HD Hyundai Mipo, brings expertise in advanced engineering and shipyard automation.

"This agreement brings together global shipbuilding excellence and Siemens’ proven digital transformation technologies to help U.S. shipyards build smarter, faster and be more resilient,” says Robert Jones, chief revenue officer, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “By combining our digital backbone with HD Hyundai’s advanced engineering, we are enabling the revitalization of American shipbuilding and supporting the creation of a sustainable, future-ready workforce."

“Maximizing production efficiency through digital and automation technologies is key to the reconstruction of the U.S. shipbuilding industry,” says Sangmin Moon, executive vice president—Global Strategy Division, HD Hyundai. “HD Hyundai's accumulated shipbuilding technology and Siemens’ digital capabilities will contribute to creating new opportunities for the U.S. shipbuilding industry."

The agreement also reflects a collaboration to strengthen U.S. maritime competitiveness and expand future opportunities. HD Hyundai and Siemens will actively cooperate to promote the Siemens Xcelerator platform across its U.S. business partners, while both parties explore where to expand digital shipyard transformation in overseas markets. Corresponding to U.S. maritime policy goals, Siemens and HD Hyundai will jointly support workforce development, cybersecurity, and industrial base resilience.

Under the terms of MoU, the two companies will:

• Collaborate to restore engineering capabilities and rebuild a sustainable talent base in the U.S. shipbuilding sector through workforce development and training programs.
• Jointly promote the digital transformation and automation of U.S. shipyards, validating digital workflows and platform configurations through pilot projects.
• Explore investment and technology development opportunities to strengthen the U.S. maritime industrial base and create new business opportunities.
• Establish joint governance and working groups to ensure alignment with U.S. laws and strategic priorities.
• Expand the cooperative model to allied shipyards outside the United States.

The MoU is effective immediately and will guide cooperative efforts over the next year, with potential for extension and commercialization based on outcomes.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.