Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) and Hanwha Philly Shipyard (HPSI) hosted the Honorable Hung Cao, Acting Secretary of the Navy, at the shipyard on Sept. 9.
PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 9, 2026) – Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) and Hanwha Philly Shipyard (HPSI) hosted the Honorable Hung Cao, Acting Secretary of the Navy, at the shipyard Wednesday. The Acting Secretary toured the yard, met with HDUSA and HPSI leadership, and discussed Hanwha's investment in U.S. shipbuilding capacity, facility expansion and workforce growth in Philadelphia.
“America’s maritime strength depends on our ability to build ships at the speed and scale our nation requires,” said Cao. “Today’s visit highlighted opportunities to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity, strengthen our workforce, and ultimately put more ships to sea.”
Michael Coulter, CEO of HDUSA, emphasized the company’s commitment to meeting these naval readiness demands through targeted facility investments.
"As Hanwha looks to build ships for the U.S. Navy, we appreciate Secretary Cao visiting our Philly Shipyard to see the progress made since we acquired the shipyard in 2024," said Coulter. "For nearly two centuries the Philadelphia Navy Yard built world-class vessels for American sailors, and HDUSA is committed to bringing naval shipbuilding back to this yard and helping the U.S. Navy build more ships."
Hanwha Philly Shipyard has delivered four National Security Multi-Mission Vessels to the U.S. Maritime Administration, with the fifth and final NSMV scheduled for delivery next year. The lead ship in the class, TS Empire State, was activated by MARAD this month for a federal mission supporting the U.S. Navy in the Indo-Pacific.
"Since 2024, Hanwha Philly Shipyard has more than doubled its workforce to nearly 2,500, invested in workforce training, and expanded its shipbuilding capacity," said David Kim, CEO of Hanwha Philly Shipyard. "As a premier global shipbuilder, Hanwha is bringing its advanced technology and training to the U.S. to expand shipbuilding capacity and help meet U.S. demand."
U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined the visit.
“Increasing the number of Navy ships built by the Philly shipyard will be transformative for our region,” said Sen. Coons. “It will also transform our military, allowing us to keep pace with China’s new shipbuilding efforts that threaten a free and open Indo-Pacific and shipping lanes around the world. The Philly shipyard is the best in the nation, and I will do everything I can to ensure that our Navy is taking advantage of the skills and knowledge we have here in the mid-Atlantic.”
Hanwha Philly Shipyard occupies 115 acres at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers within the historic Philadelphia Navy Yard and has built approximately half of all large ocean-going Jones Act vessels delivered in the United States since 2000. Its two graving docks are among the largest on the U.S. East Coast.
About Hanwha Defense USA
A subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Defense USA delivers proven platforms with a demonstrated process maturity successfully projected across numerous markets and supply chains across the globe, with a track record of developing local workforces required to produce and sustain across product life cycles to meet the needs of warfighters and industrial base partners. HDUSA continues to expand its U.S. footprint through organic growth, strategic industrial partnerships, and selective business acquisition. For more information on Hanwha Defense USA, please visit www.hanwhadefenseusa.com.
About Hanwha Philly Shipyard
Hanwha Philly Shipyard is a leading U.S. shipbuilder that has earned a reputation as a preferred provider of ocean-going merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships, having delivered around 50% of all large ocean-going U.S. Jones Act commercial ships since 2000. The shipyard is part of Hanwha Group, a multinational company with a robust network of affiliates in the energy, shipbuilding, defense, aerospace, finance, and retail & services industries. To learn more about what’s on the horizon, visit www.hanwhaphillyshipyard.com.
Media contact:
Hanwha Defense USA Corporate Communications