Samsung Heavy Industries has taken a significant step into the U.S. defense market by joining the design phase of the U.S. Navy’s Next-Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) program, marking a milestone in its long-term strategy to expand in the United States.
The company announced that it will participate in the concept design of the NGLS project alongside General Dynamics NASSCO and DSEC, with work scheduled to continue through March 2027. The NGLS program involves the development of small, highly mobile support vessels designed to support the U.S. Navy’s distributed maritime operations strategy. More than 13 ships are expected to be built under the program.
Samsung Heavy will play a leading role in hull form design, a critical factor in determining vessel performance. Leveraging expertise developed at its Daedeok Research Center in Daejeon—home to the world’s largest commercial towing tank measuring 400 meters in length—the company aims to develop designs that meet U.S. Navy requirements for mobility, supply capability, and operational stability. It will also provide technical support to enable efficient ship construction at NASSCO’s U.S.-based shipyard.
To strengthen its U.S. business footprint, Samsung Heavy has established a local subsidiary and is preparing to participate in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) bids in partnership with Vigor shipyard. The company plans to apply its shipbuilding expertise and advanced “3X” technologies to secure additional opportunities in the U.S. market.
Earlier in March, Vice Chairman Choi Sung-an announced plans to introduce automated pipe spool fabrication technology—claimed to be the first of its kind globally—into U.S. operations. Samsung Heavy is also enhancing its collaboration with NASSCO through a joint research center established with San Diego State University (SDSU), focusing on areas such as AI-based production automation, robotics, and environmentally sustainable technologies to support the revitalization of the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
The company is further exploring initiatives to build a ship equipment supply chain cluster in the U.S. and establish training centers to develop skilled shipyard workers and seafarers. It is also progressing toward obtaining a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) certification to expand its maintenance capabilities in the U.S.
A Samsung Heavy official said the NGLS project will serve as a foundation to deepen cooperation with NASSCO and accelerate tangible results in the company’s U.S. business, supported by its advanced technological capabilities.
