Korean Media: "Skilled Labor Risk" in US Shipbuilding Industry Becomes Reality... Hanwha Delays Delivery of Training Ship
Hanwha Ocean, which had ambitious plans to enter the U.S. defense industry under the "K-Shipbuilding" banner, is now facing the harsh reality of outdated equipment and low labor standards at U.S. shipyards. The 330 million U.S. dollar (approximately 478 billion South Korean won) state-of-the-art training ship being built at Hanwha Philly Shipyard is experiencing issues with its propulsion system during trial operations, leading to a delayed delivery. Industry experts believe that this incident is not just a simple mechanical failure, but also a true reflection of the collapse of the U.S. shipbuilding industry ecosystem, as well as a challenge that Hanwha needs to address in the future.
U.S. media reported on the 6th that the training ship "State of Maine," built by Hanwha Philly Shipyard for the U.S. Maritime Administration, experienced serious problems with its propulsion system during sea trials last year. Specifically, defects were found in the propulsion shaft and stern tube bearings, which are core components for ship operation.
Due to these defects, the ship was re-towed into the dry dock in September of last year, and a major overhaul of the core components is currently underway. Due to the need for additional work, the delivery date of the training ship has been postponed from the original end of 2025 to after February 2026. This project was originally aimed at delivery in 2024, but after having already delayed the schedule once, it now faces even greater difficulties due to this mechanical failure.
A person related to the shipbuilding industry said: "The alignment of the propulsion shaft and the installation of bearings are the most fundamental yet precise tasks in shipbuilding. The fact that such defects occurred in these basic driving components, rather than in the most advanced combat systems, is a decisive evidence of how severe the lack of skill among U.S. on-site personnel is."
The problem lies in the fact that this burden falls entirely on the current owner, Hanwha. The "Maine" is a project that had already started construction long before Hanwha acquired the Philadelphia Shipyard (December 2024). Although the ship was actually built under the management of the previous owner (Aker Group in Norway), the final completion and defect correction work fell to the current owner, Hanwha.
An local source said: "From Hanwha's perspective, there will be more feelings of injustice. It's like taking over a ship that was already abandoned and then having to [clean up the mess]." In fact, at the naming ceremony held in August last year, prominent figures including South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro attended in large numbers, showcasing the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance and technological cooperation. However, only a few months later, quality issues surfaced, resulting in significant embarrassment.
This indicates that Hanwha's task goes beyond merely "acquiring" a shipyard. The process of normalizing the shipyard is expected to be more difficult and costly than anticipated. While money can solve the problem of replacing outdated equipment, cultivating skilled workers capable of performing precise operations cannot be solved simply by money and time.
A military-industrial source who requested anonymity said: "This propulsion shaft defect incident is a symbolic event marking the imminent collapse of the U.S. shipbuilding infrastructure. How Hanwha quickly resolves this 'legacy risk' and how it transplants South Korea's advanced production management systems and technology will determine its success or failure in the U.S. market."
Source: Chosun Ilbo
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853645235927044/
Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author."