Arlington, Va.-based Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) has announced plans to acquire a controlling stake in Hanwha Philly Shipyard, with the Philadelphia-based shipyard moving under HDUSA's leadership and governance structure. HDUSA established a presence at Hanwha Philly Shipyard earlier this year, signaling the organization's transition to a dual-use shipyard serving both the U.S. Navy and commercial customers.
From the time parent company Hanwha acquired the shipyard in late 2024, Hanwha Systems held a 60% stake, while Hanwha Ocean held a 40% stake. In September, Hanwha Systems announced it would sell its stake in the shipyard to Hanwha Defense USA Shipbuilding LLC, an HDUSA joint venture with Hanwha FutureProof.
"As Hanwha Defense USA continues to grow its multi-domain presence across the U.S., bringing Philly Shipyard under HDUSA will further align our government and commercial shipbuilding efforts," said HDUSA President and CEO Michael Coulter. "We look forward to continuing to invest in our Philly Shipyard facilities and workforce in preparation for exciting work ahead."
Rear Adm. Tom Anderson (ret.), president of U.S. shipbuilding for Hanwha Defense USA, will oversee shipbuilding operations at the shipyard.
"Over the past two years, Hanwha has made significant investments in the Philly Shipyard to contribute to the reviatlization of the U.S. shipbuilding industry," Anderson said. "Now we are positioning the shipyard to transition to dual-use, aligning shipyard operations, workforce, and customer relations in preparation to build for the U.S. Navy, other federal agencies, and commercial customers."
Since Hanwha acquired Philly Shipyard in December 2024, the facility has turned out a number of high-profile ships, including the State of Maine and Lone Star State, both National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs), earlier this year in partnership with TOTE Services. Matson Inc., Honolulu, christened its newest containership, Makua, at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in early October. Hanwha Philly Shipyard also delivered the Acadia, a subsea rock installation vessel, to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, Houston, in June. The Acadia is the first U.S.-flagged, Jones Act-compliant subsea rock installation vessel of its kind and is one of WorkBoat's 10 Significant Boats of 2026.
