
Hanwha Shipping Orders First U.S.-Built LNG Carrier in Nearly 50 Years, Advancing U.S. Maritime Capacity
Hanwha Shipping, the U.S.-based subsidiary of Hanwha Ocean, announced a landmark move today with the order of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier from Hanwha Philly Shipyard, marking the first such order for a U.S.-built, export-ready LNG carrier in nearly five decades. This pivotal development not only revives U.S. involvement in LNG shipbuilding but also signals a significant expansion of Hanwha’s trans-Pacific capabilities, blending Korean expertise with American industrial potential.
The vessel, which will feature cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art propulsion systems, represents a major milestone in the U.S. maritime sector. The deal includes an option for a second LNG carrier, underscoring Hanwha’s commitment to building a long-term presence in the American shipbuilding landscape. This order is especially noteworthy as the first U.S. LNG carrier project targeting the global export market since the late 1970s.
The initiative is part of Hanwha’s broader strategy to transfer shipbuilding capabilities and advanced technologies from its Korean operations to its American facilities. By doing so, Hanwha aims to foster sustainable growth in the U.S. maritime industrial base. It also aligns with U.S. trade policies that are increasingly supportive of domestic vessel construction, particularly in the context of LNG exports that are subject to Jones Act and U.S. Coast Guard standards.
“We’re excited to leverage Hanwha’s world-class shipbuilding prowess to equip American industrial partners with the skills to construct next-generation LNG carriers for the first time in nearly five decades,” said Ryan Lynch, President and CEO of Hanwha Shipping, headquartered in Houston. He highlighted Hanwha Ocean’s recent achievement as the world’s first shipbuilder to deliver 200 LNG carriers, reinforcing its global leadership and underlining the ambition to replicate that success on American soil.
This project is structured as a joint-build model. Hanwha Philly Shipyard, based in Philadelphia, has signed the primary construction contract with Hanwha Shipping. Although a significant portion of the construction will be executed at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard in Korea, key segments of the project — particularly those requiring U.S. regulatory compliance and safety certifications — will be handled domestically. This collaborative model is designed to allow gradual technology and skills transfer from Korea to the U.S., ultimately boosting the Philly shipyard’s capacity for high-value, technologically advanced vessel production.
Hanwha’s dual-shipyard approach positions the group as the only company in the world with major shipbuilding operations in both South Korea and the United States. This unique setup provides strategic flexibility and enhances supply chain resilience for North American LNG customers at a time when global energy infrastructure is under pressure from geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.
The ordered LNG vessels will serve a dual purpose. In addition to fulfilling Hanwha Group’s internal transportation requirements, they will be a cornerstone of the emerging U.S.-flagged LNG fleet — a development critical to both U.S. energy security and global energy reliability. The ships are expected to help solidify America’s role in international LNG logistics, while also contributing to the broader reindustrialization of the U.S. maritime sector.
This move comes on the heels of Hanwha’s acquisition of Philly Shipyard in December 2024, when the Korean conglomerate purchased the historic American facility for $100 million. Since 2000, Philly Shipyard has built more than half of the United States’ large commercial vessels compliant with the Jones Act, which mandates that goods transported between U.S. ports be carried on American-built and operated ships.
Hanwha has expressed a clear intention to revitalize the shipyard, investing in advanced technologies, workforce development, and smart manufacturing systems. These initiatives are expected to create thousands of high-skilled jobs and expand the U.S.’s capacity to construct complex commercial vessels, including LNG carriers, tankers, and other strategic assets.
By combining its legacy of Korean shipbuilding innovation with America’s industrial workforce, Hanwha is not only revitalizing a vital sector but also aligning with U.S. policy goals to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign-built ships. The initiative also enhances energy independence by enabling the U.S. to export LNG using its own fleet, controlled and crewed by American mariners.
As the first order of its kind in decades, this project could be the start of a broader transformation within the U.S. maritime industry. If successful, it could pave the way for future investments and orders, further bridging Korean shipbuilding excellence with American industrial resurgence.
With this ambitious move, Hanwha Shipping and Hanwha Philly Shipyard are not only building ships — they are building the foundation for a stronger, more self-reliant U.S. maritime future.