ABS and HD Hyundai sign MoU to develop international naval ships

American classification society ABS and South Korean heavyweight HD Hyundai have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that opens the door for joint development projects to develop international naval ships.

As disclosed, ABS will apply its rigorous goal-based and prescriptive requirements to three different types of naval ship designs from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI):

• HDP-2200: offshore patrol vessel
• HDA-24000: auxiliary logistic support ship
• HDF-3200: frigate.

The goal for HHI is to achieve approvals in principle (AiPs) for these vessel designs.

“It is a great honor to sign on this MOU with ABS, the leading global classification society, and I think this agreement is a significant step toward creating new business opportunities for HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. We believe this is a meaningful collaboration that will allow HHI’s export naval ship design to be verified by ABS,” said Won-Ho Joo, COO & Senior Executive Vice President of Naval & Special Ship Business Unit.

Bruce Baffer, Senior Vice President of Global Government at ABS, stated that the classification society offers comprehensive rules and guides specifically tailored to the unique design, structure, and purpose of both domestic and international naval vessels. He added that by joining HHI on this new venture, ABS wants to support fleets for the U.S. and allied nations.

Recently, HD HHI obtained AiP from the global classification society DNV for the HDS-1500 submarine. This follows the AIP received last year from DNV for the 2,300-ton submarine HDS-2300, expanding HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ K-submarine export lineup in the global market.

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