ABS has signed two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with leading Korean and US organisations to strengthen cooperation in shipbuilding innovation, research and workforce development.
The agreements were signed during the launch of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center (KUSPC), a new platform that will connect industry, academia and research institutions from both countries.
Focus on next-generation shipbuilding
The first MOU brings together ABS, the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO), the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) and Texas A&M University.
The partners will collaborate on next-generation shipbuilding technologies, joint research, knowledge exchange and industry-academia cooperation.
Under the agreement, KRISO will contribute expertise in ship and ocean engineering research, KIAT will support industrial technology development and international cooperation, Texas A&M University will provide research and education capabilities, and ABS will contribute its expertise in classification, certification, verification, maritime safety and international regulatory frameworks.
The organisations aim to strengthen Korea-US shipbuilding research and development while improving the long-term competitiveness of the maritime industry.
Workforce development and certification
The second MOU focuses on building the workforce needed for future shipbuilding and naval maintenance.
Alongside ABS and KRISO, the agreement includes the Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association (KOSHIPA) and the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center (KUSPC).
The initiative aims to develop workforce skills for the US naval maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector.
Under the agreement, KRISO will provide expertise in advanced ship engineering and smart manufacturing, KOSHIPAwill support workforce training through its industrial network, and KUSPC will coordinate cooperation between governments, industry and research organisations.
ABS will contribute its expertise in classification, certification, verification, maritime safety, as well as international and US naval regulatory standards.
The partners also plan to establish jointly recognised qualification and certification programmes, promote instructor and workforce exchanges, and strengthen industrial readiness for participation in US shipbuilding projects.
Expanding Korea-US maritime cooperation
The launch of KUSPC marks a broader effort to deepen cooperation between South Korea and the United States across the maritime sector.
Through the two agreements, the partners aim to accelerate innovation, strengthen research capabilities and develop the skilled workforce needed to support the next generation of commercial and naval shipbuilding.
