Geoje:U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel underscored the potential for increased shipbuilding collaboration between South Korea and the United States during her visit to Samsung Heavy Industries Co.'s shipyard in Geoje, located approximately 330 kilometers south of Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ambassador Steel highlighted the benefits of combining American and Korean expertise to strengthen the shipbuilding industries of both nations, drive innovation, and create new job opportunities. She expressed her gratitude to Samsung Heavy Industries, the world's fifth-largest shipbuilder based on existing orders, for their hospitality and sharing their vision for future cooperation.
This visit and the ambassador's remarks align with South Korea's broader objectives to rejuvenate the U.S. shipbuilding sector, particularly under the "Make American Shipbuilding Great Again" (MASGA) initiative. Earlier this year, Samsung Heavy Industries took a significant step by establishing a research center in San Diego. This center, the SHI-SDSU Advanced Maritime Center, was created in partnership with San Diego State University to foster collaboration in areas like artificial intelligence-based production automation, robotics, and eco-friendly technologies, supporting the U.S. shipbuilding industry's revitalization efforts.