Hanwha Philadelphia Shipyard has appointed Hayok Kim as its new president. This change, effective November 2, 2024, aligns with the company's plans to expand its activities in the construction of U.S. Navy vessels.
Experience and Background of Hayok Kim
Hayok Kim, with over 25 years of experience in military and commercial shipbuilding, succeeds David Kim. David Kim played a role in Hanwha's acquisition of this shipyard in 2024 and nearly doubled the workforce during this time.
Changes in Management Structure
This management change occurs amid a comprehensive restructuring announced last week, placing the shipyard under the control of Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA). Hayok Kim will report directly to retired Admiral Tom Anderson, head of U.S. shipbuilding at HDUSA.
Kim's appointment follows a series of major developments at the shipyard, including HDUSA's selection to build a Medium Landing Ship worth $269 million for the Navy and Marine Corps. This contract includes the construction of one ship with options for three additional ships.
In July, the shipyard also received a contract to build a missile tracking ship for the Missile Defense Agency, recognized as the first new construction contract under Hanwha's ownership.
Hanwha will continue its efforts to develop the Philadelphia shipyard as a dual-purpose facility capable of supporting both military and commercial markets. This management change is another step toward achieving this goal.
Hanwha acquired this shipyard in December 2024 and has ambitious plans to modernize its facilities, expand production capacity, and transfer South Korean shipbuilding expertise to the United States. This shift towards military shipbuilding represents a significant change for this facility, which has long been one of the most important commercial shipyards in the United States.
