South Korea’s HD Hyundai has become the first shipbuilder in the world to build and deliver 5,000 vessels, a major milestone in its shipbuilding history.
The landmark delivery was celebrated at a ceremony held on November 19 at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Ulsan shipyard. The 5,000th vessel was the Diego Silang, the second offshore patrol vessel constructed for the Philippine Navy.
The ship was launched in March and delivered in October.
HD Hyundai’s first delivery was the 260,000-ton very large crude carrier Atlantic Baron in June 1974. Since then, the group has supplied vessels to more than 700 shipowners in 68 countries.
By subsidiary, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has delivered 2,631 ships, HD Hyundai Mipo has delivered 1,570 ships, and HD Hyundai Samho has delivered 799 ships.
Chairman Chung Kisun said: “Our 5,000-vessel milestone represents the pride of Korea’s shipbuilding industry and the history of bold challenges that have reshaped the global maritime paradigm.”
He added: “Building on this shared legacy of innovation, we will move confidently toward the next 5,000 vessels—and the next half century.”
