Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao toured the facility and met executives from Hanwha Defense USA and Hanwha Philly Shipyard. The discussions focused on industrial investment, expansion of the site and the workforce needed to increase U.S. shipbuilding output.
“America’s maritime strength depends on our ability to build ships at the speed and scale our nation requires,” Cao said. “Today’s visit highlighted opportunities to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity, strengthen our workforce, and ultimately put more ships to sea.”
Hanwha Defense USA said its investment strategy is intended to help meet the Navy’s demand for additional construction capacity and greater fleet readiness. The company is positioning the Philadelphia site to compete for naval shipbuilding work by combining its existing infrastructure with Hanwha’s technology and training.
“As Hanwha looks to build ships for the U.S. Navy, we appreciate Secretary Cao visiting our Philly Shipyard to see the progress made since we acquired the shipyard in 2024,” said Michael Coulter, chief executive of Hanwha Defense USA. “For nearly two centuries the Philadelphia Navy Yard built world-class vessels for American sailors, and HDUSA is committed to bringing naval shipbuilding back to this yard and helping the U.S. Navy build more ships.”
The yard has already delivered four National Security Multi-Mission Vessels to the U.S. Maritime Administration. A fifth and final ship in the class is scheduled for delivery next year.
The lead vessel, TS Empire State, was activated by the Maritime Administration this month for a federal mission supporting the U.S. Navy in the Indo-Pacific. The mission provides a current operational role for a government vessel built at the Philadelphia facility.
“Since 2024, Hanwha Philly Shipyard has more than doubled its workforce to nearly 2,500, invested in workforce training, and expanded its shipbuilding capacity,” said David Kim, chief executive of Hanwha Philly Shipyard. “As a premier global shipbuilder, Hanwha is bringing its advanced technology and training to the U.S. to expand shipbuilding capacity and help meet U.S. demand.”
U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, who joined the visit, said a larger Navy role for the yard would have regional and military implications. “Increasing the number of Navy ships built by the Philly shipyard will be transformative for our region,” he said.
“It will also transform our military, allowing us to keep pace with China’s new shipbuilding efforts that threaten a free and open Indo-Pacific and shipping lanes around the world,” Coons said. “The Philly shipyard is the best in the nation, and I will do everything I can to ensure that our Navy is taking advantage of the skills and knowledge we have here in the mid-Atlantic.”
Hanwha Philly Shipyard covers 115 acres where the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers meet within the historic Philadelphia Navy Yard. Its two graving docks rank among the largest on the U.S. East Coast.
The facility has built about half of all large ocean-going Jones Act vessels delivered in the United States since 2000. Hanwha is seeking to use that industrial base, its expanded workforce and the group’s global shipbuilding experience to support future U.S. naval construction.
