Hanwha Ocean announced on April 14 that it has begun discussions in earnest to expand cooperation with the Nova Scotia Government and Canada’s largest shipyard Irving Shipbuilding.

President Kim Heechoul of Hanwha Ocean recently visited Halifax, Canada, to discuss defense and industrial cooperation measures with provincial government officials, including Tim Houston, the Premier of Nova Scotia. During this meeting, in line with Canada’s defense modernization policy, they exchanged views on key issues such as strengthening defense readiness, securing Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities, developing local talent, and establishing an industrial base.

Hanwha Ocean shared its long-term industrial participation and in-service support strategy for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) and expressed its commitment to expanding its industrial contribution within Canada.

Nova Scotia is a region with a suitable industrial base for vessel construction and long-term in-service support (MRO), and it also possesses competitiveness in advanced industries such as aerospace, offshore wind power, and artificial intelligence. Cooperation between Hanwha Ocean and local companies is also expanding, prompted by the recent visit of the ‘Team Canada’ trade mission to the Republic of Korea. Through agreements with major Canadian companies such as Modest Tree, GeoSpectrum Technologies, and Ultra Maritime, Hanwha Ocean plans to integrate Canadian businesses into the global submarine supply chain.

President Kim then met with Dirk Lesko, President of Irving Shipbuilding, to discuss the potential for cooperation in securing Canada’s independent submarine capabilities. They particularly agreed on the importance of establishing a Canada-led, long-term submarine maintenance industrial base through sustainable job creation, cultivation of a skilled workforce, formation of a stable supply chain, expanded participation of small and medium-sized enterprises, and strengthening the domestic industrial ecosystem, which are the priority for the Canadian government.

Irving Shipbuilding is Canada’s largest shipyard, simultaneously executing major naval projects for Canada, including the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, MRO for the Halifax-class frigates, and the River-class destroyers equipped with the next-generation Aegis system. Notably, under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), it has secured extensive experience in warship construction and in-service support, as well as a broad domestic supply chain.

Hanwha Ocean is a comprehensive shipbuilding, marine, and defense company with full lifecycle capabilities for naval vessels, including submarines, covering design, construction, and maintenance. The cooperation between the two companies is expected to contribute to securing both a stable in-service support system and the industrial base required for the Canadian submarine project by combining Hanwha Ocean’s world-class design and construction technology with Irving Shipbuilding’s local production and supply chain capabilities.

CEO Kim Heechoul of Hanwha Ocean stated, “In the bidding process for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), rapid commissioning, the establishment of a stable Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) system, the strengthening of a Canada-led industrial base, and long-term technology transfer and job creation are acting as key evaluation factors. Through close cooperation with Canadian industry and government, we will build a Canada-centric, sustainable submarine operational ecosystem that meets these requirements and continuously enhance our competitiveness.

Source:Business Korea