Hanwha Philly Shipyard named Hyuk Kim president effective Nov. 2 as the Philadelphia yard expands into naval construction alongside its commercial shipbuilding business.
Kim brings more than 25 years of naval and commercial shipbuilding experience, including senior positions at Hanwha Ocean and its predecessor, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. He succeeds David Kim, who helped guide Hanwha’s 2024 acquisition of the yard and oversaw a near doubling of its workforce, according to the company.
The appointment coincides with HDUSA’s acquisition of majority ownership of the shipyard. Hyuk Kim will report directly to retired Rear Adm. Tom Anderson, HDUSA’s shipbuilding president, who oversees the company’s U.S. shipbuilding operations.
“Hanwha’s upgrades and investments in Philly Shipyard are enabling the yard to now build for the federal government as well as commercial ships, bringing the Philadelphia waterfront back to its roots as a key part of the Arsenal of Democracy,” Anderson said.
Anderson pointed to Kim’s experience at Hanwha Ocean’s South Korean shipyard, which he said delivers 35 to 45 commercial and naval vessels annually. He also credited David Kim with overseeing facility investments and workforce growth during the ownership transition.
The leadership change follows two defense shipbuilding announcements for the Philadelphia yard. In July, Hanwha Philly Shipyard received a contract for a Missile Range Instrumentation Vessel for the Missile Defense Agency, its first new-construction contract under Hanwha ownership.
More recently, TOTE Services selected HDUSA to construct a Medium Landing Ship at the yard for the Navy and Marine Corps,
Hyuk Kim said his priorities include increasing capacity and developing the workforce to support both commercial and naval programs.
“By building on the strong foundation established in the months since Hanwha acquired the yard, we will focus on strengthening operational excellence, expanding shipbuilding capacity, and developing the workforce needed to support both commercial and naval programs,” he said.
HDUSA opened an office at the shipyard earlier this year to prepare for Navy and other defense work ahead of acquiring majority ownership.
