"State of Maine" Christened, Strengthens US-South Korea Shipbuilding Ties

U.S. and South Korea Strengthen Ties with New Shipbuilding Partnership

In a significant milestone for U.S.-South Korea relations, the State of Maine—America's third training ship—was christened on Tuesday, August 26. This ceremony not only marked the ship's launch but also symbolized the growing collaboration between the two nations in the shipbuilding industry. The event was strategically rescheduled to align with the visit of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who also met with Donald Trump earlier in Washington, D.C.

President Lee's itinerary included a tour of the Philadelphia shipyard, now owned by Hanwha Ocean following its $100 million acquisition in late 2024. Hanwha's purchase predates Trump's initiative to rejuvenate the U.S. shipbuilding sector, positioning the South Korean conglomerate as a major player in the U.S. naval market. With an eye on the Trump administration's programs, Hanwha plans to produce LNG carriers, naval modules, and eventually naval vessels at the Philly site.

Hanwha has earmarked $5 billion for expanding the shipyard's capabilities, including additional docks and quays. The company is also considering a new block assembly facility. This expansion aims to boost Philly Shipyard's production from fewer than two ships annually to as many as 20.

Hanwha's U.S. subsidiary, Hanwha Shipping, recently announced an order for 10 medium-range oil and chemical tankers from the Philly Shipyard, with the first delivery expected by early 2029. Additionally, they plan to outfit a Korean-built LNG carrier at the U.S. site, marking the first modern American-flagged LNG carrier built in five decades.

During the christening ceremony, attended by officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation and Maritime Administration, Lee expressed the Republic of Korea's commitment to boosting U.S. maritime security and revitalizing the American shipbuilding sector. Speaking through a translator, Lee described the rapid evolution of Korea's shipbuilding industry as the "miracle of K-shipbuilding."

The MASGA (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again) project, Lee explained, aims for a collaborative leap forward between the U.S. and South Korean shipbuilding sectors. He also pledged a minimum of $150 billion investment from South Korea in U.S. shipbuilding and other industries.

Hanwha Vice Chairman Dong Kwan Kim acknowledged the joint efforts of both nations, highlighting the significance of this partnership in advancing shipbuilding capabilities. He stated, “Today’s christening ceremony is the physical embodiment of our two nations working side by side to reindustrialize industry, expand our capacity to build ships, and invest in the skilled workforce that will drive the industry forward.”

The State of Maine, part of the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) program, serves as the first dedicated training ship for the Maine Maritime Academy. Measuring 525 feet, it can accommodate 600 cadets and, during emergencies, 1,000 individuals. The vessel features state-of-the-art facilities, including eight classrooms, an auditorium, training labs, a helicopter pad, and facilities for handling containers and roll-on/roll-off cargo.

Acting Maritime Administrator Sang Yi, standing in for Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, remarked, “This vessel marks a new era for American maritime power. MARAD’s mission to modernize sealift and empower the Merchant Marine hinges on relentless innovation and partnership. Together, we can build the fleet America needs to secure our future and dominate the seas.”

Elaine Chao, the ship's godmother and a former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, has previously served on the Federal Maritime Commission and as Secretary of Labor. Philly Shipyard has delivered earlier vessels to New York and Massachusetts, with Hanwha Ocean now completing additional ships for Texas and California maritime academies. The yard is also working on LNG-fueled containerships for Matson and a rock installation vessel for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation.