On August 26, government and industry leaders gathered at the Hanwha Shipyard in Philadelphia to celebrate the christening of the State of Maine, the third ship in a federally funded mariner training program for upgrading U.S. shipyards.
The ceremony conveyed a clear message: the United States is committed to a return to serious shipbuilding and seeks partners with the capability and commitment to meet the new goals. This momentum grows from the request made by the White House in April, calling for a Maritime Action Plan to “restore America’s maritime dominance.”
U.S. shipbuilders’ commitment and improvement of shipyards
In December 2024, Hanwha acquired and renamed the Philly Shipyard, with an ambitious multi-year plan to modernize its infrastructure. This includes the gradual implementation of automated technologies and the expansion of production beyond its current rate of less than two ships per year. Hanwha’s strategy is based on two pillars: the transfer of key technologies from Korea and the modernization of both the shipyard’s physical and digital systems.
Hanwha Ocean, the world’s leading builder of LNG carriers, is working closely with Philly Shipyard to transfer its production know-how. This includes the implementation of digital systems for shipyard operations, automation in welding and modular construction techniques. In addition, Hanwha Ocean has been leading advances in digital shipbuilding in collaboration with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) since 2023, with the goal of reducing construction lead times, improving accuracy and increasing productivity without sacrificing quality.
In July 2025, Hanwha Philly Shipyard received its first order for an export-ready, U.S.-built LNG carrier from Hanwha Shipping, the shipping division of the Hanwha Group.
This order marks the first of its kind in the United States in nearly 50 years. In addition, Hanwha Shipping exercised an option for a second vessel in August, with deliveries expected around 2028, under a joint construction model with Hanwha Ocean. In total, Hanwha Shipping has also ordered 10 medium-range tankers used for transporting oil and chemicals, the largest order for commercial vessels in the U.S. in more than two decades. These orders not only reflect the growing demand for shipbuilding manpower, but will also serve as a testing ground for new technologies implemented in Philadelphia in collaboration with Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje Shipyard.
Hanwha’s modernization plan includes the expansion of dry docks and the creation of modular block assembly facilities designed to support serial production. This infrastructure will enable the yard to adapt its production for a variety of vessels, including Jones Act tankers, export LNG carriers and possible modules for U.S. Navy shipbuilding. Hanwha’s roadmap is ambitious, and its success depends on steady demand, regulatory compliance and the availability of a skilled workforce.
To meet future demand, Hanwha Philly Shipyard is expanding its 39-month paid apprenticeship program. Apprentices acquire essential skills in welding, outfitting and shipbuilding, and gain hands-on experience on actual production lines. Training new workers is seen as a key component in the shipyard’s transformation into a center of excellence in shipbuilding.
Source and photo: Hanwha