Hanwha Ocean has established a cooperation framework with Ontario Shipyards and Mohawk College in Canada, and has committed to taking the lead in strengthening the competitiveness of Canada’s shipbuilding industry and cultivating shipbuilding workforce.

On Feb18, Hanwha Ocean signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for strategic cooperation with Ontario Shipyards in Toronto, Canada. Additionally, Hanwha Ocean signed a tripartite Letter of Intent (LOI) for strategic cooperation with Ontario Shipyards and Mohawk College.

Notably, Canadian Members of Parliament including Aslam Rana, Chris Bittle, John-Paul Danko, and Sima Acan attended the event to celebrate the close shipbuilding and naval industry cooperation between Canada and Korea.

Through the MOU with Ontario Shipyards, Hanwha Ocean will provide advanced shipbuilding technology and operational know-how, including ▲design and engineering consulting ▲production planning and process management ▲quality management system establishment ▲smart shipyard-based advanced processes. Through this, the company plans to gradually rebuild Ontario’s large vessel construction capabilities and support the long-term strengthening of Canada’s naval industrial base.

The two companies are pursuing cooperation with future Canadian naval projects in mind, including the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). In particular, Hanwha Ocean will provide technical support from the construction preparation stage, including design, for vessels that Ontario Shipyards will begin building this year, and plans to utilize this as a representative case demonstrating next-generation shipbuilding capabilities.

Furthermore, Hanwha Ocean will establish a “Shipbuilding Workforce Development Hub” within Ontario Shipyards through strategic cooperation with Ontario Shipyards and Mohawk College.

Through this initiative, the company plans to cultivate core skilled workforce in shipbuilding-related fields such as welding, fabrication, marine machinery, electrical, robotics, and non-destructive testing, in conjunction with the shipyard’s expansion and modernization plans over the next 10 to 15 years.

The three organizations plan to implement phased initiatives, including ▲establishing an integrated training campus within Ontario Shipyards ▲developing industry-led advanced education programs ▲establishing a workforce development system linked to shipyard production and expansion plans ▲jointly identifying applied research projects utilizing new technologies such as virtual reality, robotics, and digital twin.

If Hanwha Ocean wins the CPSP project in the future, the company also plans to pursue strategic investments, including the potential establishment of specialized shipbuilding education and training centers in Ontario, as well as expanding industrial cooperation with local companies. The goal is to develop the Great Lakes region as a center for defense shipbuilding and establish it as Canada’s advanced maritime manufacturing hub.

Shaun Padulo, CEO of Ontario Shipyards, stated, “Ontario Shipyards is playing a leading role in rebuilding large-scale shipbuilding capabilities in Ontario,” and added, “Through our partnership with Hanwha Ocean, we will introduce world-class shipbuilding expertise and proven production systems to accelerate the rebuilding of shipbuilding capabilities, creation of high-quality jobs, and strengthening of Ontario’s and Canada’s maritime and defense industrial base.”

Kim Hee-cheul, CEO of Hanwha Ocean, stated, “The two agreements signed today represent the future of Hanwha Ocean and Ontario Shipyards, and serve as an opportunity to deepen the friendship between Canada and the Republic of Korea.” He continued, “This is significant in that it goes beyond simple technology transfer to internalize Hanwha Ocean’s advanced shipbuilding processes and operational know-how locally in Canada,” and added, “We will firmly establish the foundation for the successful execution of Canadian naval projects, including CPSP.”

Source:Business Korea